The sister of a man extradited to Greece to face manslaughter charges is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise cash for the charity that represented him.

Sophie Symeou, 26, of Gordon Hill, set off on her six-day trip on Friday with her friend Gabby Bord to raise money for human rights charity Fair Trials International. 

Her brother Andrew was extradited on a European Arrest Warrant in July 2009 in connection with the death of 18-year-old Jonathan Hiles.

The Cardiff teenager died after falling off a podium in a Zakynthos nightclub in July 2007.

Mr Symeou, 24, was accused of knocking the Cardiff teenager out by punching him in the face, causing him to fall from the podium.

Bournemouth University student Mr Symeou, who lives with his sister at his parent’s house out of term time, was acquitted in a Greek court in June 2011 after the jury found him not guilty.

Ms Symeou said: “Gabby and I are quite unlikely candidates for a feat such as this, but it is the least we can do for Fair Trials after they helped my brother and our family throughout his ordeal."

Ms Symeou said she is expecting the climb to be a “huge struggle,” and despite the nerves, she will not give up.  

Robert Jackman, Fair Trials International’s head of external relations, said: “We are honoured that Sophie and Gabby have decided to take on this challenge to raise money for Fair Trials International.

“Sophie knows all too well the devastating impact that Europe’s fast-track extradition system can have on people and the money raised will help us to campaign for the changes that are so urgently required.”

The pair have raised almost £4,000 to date, smashing their £3,000 target.

To visit the girls' fundraising page, click here.