In October 2023, I will be climbing Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise funds for Reverse Rett, a charity that funds much needed research into Rett Syndrome. 

At 19,340ft, Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain and I will be tackling it with a team of 7 friends from East Lothian. The climb involves 8 nights of camping and a tough ascent, with 49% oxygen (compared to sea level) at the summit. It’s hard to know who may be affected by altitude sickness, but we hope to all make it to the top!

Catherine, Jo, Penny, Alison, Fee, Sarah and I will be taking part in a number of challenges and fundraisers in the run up to Kilimanjaro, hopefully getting fitter and more prepared in the process! 

We will be away for almost two weeks and the final ascent will be at night, reaching the summit at sunrise. 

My friend and fellow climber, Catherine, has a daughter, Eliza, who has Rett Syndrome. She was diagnosed at the age of 3 and is now 11 years old. She was born seemingly healthy and developed normally for the first two years of her life. After over a year of tests, her family were devastated to find out that she had Rett Syndrome, an incurable condition which can affect any child and is not hereditary. 

Eliza slowly lost the ability to talk, walk, wave, point, use her hands and communicate. She then developed epilepsy and had up to 10 seizures a day before it was controlled with medication. She needs 1:1 support with everything and remains trapped in a body that does not work. Every year things get harder for her and her family watch her deteriorate a little more. 

Reverse Rett is the only charity funding research into genetic treatments and medications which might one day help her to have a better quality of life. 

Please donate if you can ♥️