I did it! I conquered the world's highest free-standing mountain. Yes it was difficult and yes I would do it again! But there's no way I would have done this without all your support. Thank you so much.

For those of you who haven't but still wish to, there is still time to donate. If you would like to continue showing your support, keep reading....

This challenge was an exceptional goal to work towards, building strength and endurance both physically and emotionally. It was an incredible opportunity and the invaluable experience will stay with me for the rest of my life (a story to tell the grandchildren)
 
Climbing this mountain was not easy. At just under
5,900m high, Kilimanjaro, situated in Northern Tanzania, is the world's highest free-standing mountain. Temperatures vary from +30c to -25c and there are many health risks including altitude sickness, injury, cerebral and pulmonary oedema and Black Mambas (yes, think Kill Bill).

I did get a little bit of altitude sickness; I lost my appetite, felt dizzy (almost as if I were drunk) and kept feeling horrendously sick. This worsened on summit night and I fell back from the group, struggling for breath with feelings of sickness and fever like nothing I've ever felt before. Our friend James was almost sleep-walking and in a complete daze. He would walk towards a cliff edge and if our friend Lee didn't stop him, he would have gone over. Another member of our group got excruciating stomach pains. It's crazy what altitude can do to you. But we still made it to the top, and it was worth every short, painful breath!

Altitude sickness aside, strolling through the mountain’s four main eco-zones, from  forests to alpine deserts, gazing at the shooting stars with our fellow trekkers and visiting the beer hut on our descent, as well as raising money for a great cause, is what kept me going.

Thank you all for taking the time to visit this page and helping to make this happen :)

 

 

 

 

The charity I chose to fund raise for has a personal meaning to me. I work at a primary school for children with complex physical and educational needs. It's incredible to see how they view life, accept their limitations and always do the best they can.
I have seen how hard they try and would love to improve their lives even more, which is why I chose this charity. The money raised will go towards a new tracking hoist in the school corridor, to enable the children to be more independent at school.

'Friends of Richard Cloudesley School' is a charity supporting the work of an outstanding state day school for pupils of all ages with complex physical and educational needs. The school is based in Islington and caters for children and young people London-wide.

The charity supports the school's work by raising funds for additional equipment, and resources; for instance, a pool of brightly-coloured electric wheelchairs so that the younger children can learn mobility skills before they're old enough for power chairs of their own. Pupils are given access to a wide range of therapies and experience and their learning is supported through a broad curriculum. Donating to this charity will help to improve these children's lives and support them in becoming as independent as possible.