Kilimanjaro 2020 was an opportunity to raise money for the Mental Health Foundation and for me to contribute to improving the mental health and well-being of people everywhere. My son Chris and I committed to this Kilimanjaro trek as a shared adventure and fundraising experience. The trip has been postponed until October 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

I have served on the Board of Directors for two mental health organisations applying my academic and professional experience of organisational leadership. I am passionate about the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of mental health disorders. I am a Director at the Global Centre for Conscious Leadership (http://gcfcl.com/) and author of the book, The Inner Journey to Conscious Leadership  (http://theconsciousleadershipbook.com/). As well as being a leadership coach, I am a transitions coach and principal owner of the coaching, consulting, and training organisation, 2Young2Retire (https://www.2young2retire.com/).

Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain on the African continent at 19,341 feet (5,895m). Its snow-capped summit rises high above the dusty African plains. I took the picture above during my visit to Tanzania in 2009. I am delighted to be taking on the challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro with my son Chris, arriving at the summit on World Mental Health Day, October 10, 2021. You may not be able to help me reach the summit of Kilimanjaro, but you can help me reach my financial contribution target. Please donate as much as you can as often as you can. If you would like to help Chris reach his target, his giving page is https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/chris-ward80. Thank you for your support!