I made it to the top of Kilimanjaro! It took us 5 days - 3 days up, 2 days down - and we finally 'summitted' Uhuru peak 19,340ft - 5895m (the heighest point in Africa) at 7.30am on the 13th Aug 2009. We left Kibo hut (the last hut) at 12.00pm and walked through the night for 5.30hours upto Gilman's point (rim of the crater), just intime for the sunrise and walked another 2hours upto Uhuru Peak.

It was a lot harder than I expected, particularily when nearing Gilmans we were taking 5 or 6 steps before stopping to rest. We all felt pretty rough going up, and to be completely honest the very last stretch wasn't much fun, nevertheless all but one of the 7 in our group made it all the way to the top.

The experience was unbeatable and the path up is very beautiful. I reccommend it to all of you.

PLEASE CONTINUE SPONSORING me! :) we're still some way from the target, and thank you very much to those who already have.

yours, Jonathan de Leyser

For those who do not know me; my name is Jonathan de Leyser, I'm 18 years old and this August I will be climbing Africa’s highest peak and the world’s tallest free-standing mountain – Mt. Kilimanjaro (5895m - 19340feet). I have done a few fundraising expeditions previously, however none of this magnitude!

It has always been a dream of mine to climb Kilimanjaro, and I thought I could use this oppurtunity to raise some funds for two brilliant organisations, both of which are working on the frontline of the world's most challenging issues. The International Justice mission and the United World Colleges. Unfortunately I can't raise money for both on the same page, so this is the page for those who wish to donate towards IJM.

The International Justice Mission (IJM) is a human rights organisation that secures victims from slavery and other forms of violent oppression. They are a group of lawyers who seek to correct injustice in the some of the world’s most difficult places. I have spoken to some of these lawyers and was amazed by the work they do. 

It is an extremely worthy cause, and is making a genuinely positive impact on the world. However of course there is the on-going struggle with the need of funds to spread their work and ideals.

 If you can, please sponsor my ascent of Kilimanjaro, not only will it give me the motivation required for such a daunting climb (!) but it will also be helping this wonderful organisation to continue it's world-changing works!

Please dig deep and donate now!

Thank you so much,

Jonathan de Leyser