Campaign by Story
I would like to share a mother-daughter fundraising challenge taking place 17-26th July 2026. My 12-year-old daughter, Evelyn, and I are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise money for the National Centre for Integrative Oncology (NCIO). At 5,895 metres above sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest point in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain on Earth, so we are tackling quite a challenge!
Evelyn was only three and a half when I was diagnosed with grade 3 stage 2 HER2 positive breast cancer. Together we have made it through 6 months of chemo, 2 surgeries and a year of anti-HER2 treatment with a temporary chemically induced menopause to boot. She has seen first hand how integrative oncology has supported me and the huge difference it makes to my patients. I am fortunate to be taking this challenge on with my daughter to help improve equitable access to integrative oncology care in the UK.
Evelyn is raising money for the children, teens and families department at NCIO, aiming to provide a nurse-led helpline with additional 1:1 nutrition and rehabilitation telehealth support available to any family who have a child diagnosed with cancer in the UK. I am raising money for the adult integrative oncology department and our GRiT Centre, aiming to build our multidisciplinary workforce across psycho-oncology, lifestyle and integrative medicine, and complementary therapies to support adults at any point in their cancer care.
Through our climb Evelyn and I will face one of nature's most demanding journeys, trekking through five distinct ecosystems — from equatorial rainforest to alpine desert and finally an arctic summit — all in a matter of days. The mountain rises nearly 4,900 metres from its base, and every step upward means less oxygen, plummeting temperatures, and terrain that tests both body and mind. It has been said that those who make it to Uhuru Peak do so through sheer determination — and that same determination is what drives me and Evelyn to raise funds for a cause so close to our hearts, both personally and professionally.
The NCIO team, Evelyn and I would very much appreciate your support for our Kilimanjaro challenge. Every donation makes the climb count for something greater.
You can donate via this page or for bigger donations or corporate support please do contact the NCIO or me directly for our charity’s bank details.
You can learn more about the NCIO charity here: