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I was given the opportunity to trek up and summit Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, in July 2019.
The trek is self-funded but being run in conjunction with The Lewis Moody Foundation. They are a charity set up in 2014 to raise money to fund vital research into brain tumours. They look to reduce diagnosis times through the HeadSmart campaign and give families affected much-needed respite. Most importantly, they offer time and the chance to create special memories.
The climb itself is an 8-day trek up the north face of Mt. Kilimanjaro, a more remote, less trodden route, planned for July 2019. This is a slightly longer assent than is common but there are two acclimatisation hikes built into the itinerary. My aim is to start training early in 2019. Although I am relatively fit, I will need to improve my endurance and specifically, my walking endurance. One concern is the altitude (Kilimanjaro summits at 5,895m or 19,340ft). Although you can prepare for altitude, there is no way of knowing how you will actually respond until you get there. Just to put it into perspective, Everest Base Camp sits at 5,300m or 17,600ft!
This trek will provide a great physical and mental challenge to me personally. Summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro will raise money for a worthy charity and also allow Newton Clarke Veterinary Surgeons to climb to the top of Africa! I have always been fascinated by mountain climbing but without any technical climbing ability had dismissed it as an option. However, Kilimanjaro requires no advanced climbing to summit – just hard work, preparation and a good dose of mental strength.
I genuinely see this as the opportunity of a lifetime but more importantly, our fundraising for The Lewis Moody Foundation may have a far more important effect on those families affected by brain tumours.
We are planning a number of fundraising events and will endeavour to keep you posted. Please feel free to contact me if you would like more information or to share any thoughts about this adventure and please support this great cause by donating directly to my Just Giving page, here.
JustGiving sends your donation straight to Brain Tumour Charity (The) and automatically reclaims Gift Aid if you are a UK taxpayer, so your donation is worth even more.
Thank you for your support!
