Story
Mount Kilimanjaro is the world's tallest free-standing mountain. It towers at a height of 5895 metres tall, the highest point in Africa and one of the most ecologically diverse regions in the world: arid rock and lush rainforests, beautiful greenery and thick snow, Kilimanjaro encompasses them all.
Joe Bunce is one of the world's tallest free-standing men. He towers at a height of less than 2 metres tall, the second tallest in his immediate family and one of the most diversely talented gap year students in the world: academic brilliance and creative flair, dashing charisma and incredible modesty, Joe Bunce encompasses them all.
Mount Kilimanjaro takes dozens of lives every year: temperatures drop below minus 20, and the altitude sickness approaching the summit commonly causes vomiting, ear-splitting migraines, paranoia, hallucinations, and temporary loss of the use of limbs.
Joe Bunce doesn't take many lives at all: he gets cold pretty easily, and is fairly susceptible to vomiting, migraines, paranoia and hallucinations. And to be honest, he's not that great at using his limbs at the best of times.
The question remains: which of God's creations is the greater?
There seems an obvious way to find out...
--
This feat of feet will be attempted, as many acts of stupidity are, for the noble cause of charity - the climb is all in aid of Mvumi School Trust, that charity that I've been working for the last few months. Its sponsorship scheme provides bright children, who would not otherwise have been able to afford it, an education at one of the best schools in Tanzania. It also operates in loco parentis, providing everything from lodgings to food to those who need really need it.
If you're willing to help my cause, please, donate what you can through this site. And don't forget to Gift Aid your donation, and HM Government will pour a little more to the pot.
This page will be updated from time to time on news regarding the climb, so keep looking!