June 2026 - Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for Chameleon Buddies to make a difference to women affected by severe childbirth injuries and stomas.

I'm Jo, a Fitness Consultant and I have a stoma as a result of a traumatic childbirth injury. I am also a proud mum to a 27 year-old son.

In October 2025, I was due to climb Kilimanjaro with Gill Castle, founder of the charity Chameleon Buddies and her ‘Climb Kili’ team. Sadly, I had to withdraw from this trek as I needed major surgery related to having a stoma. This was an incredibly difficult decision and a huge disappointment, not being able to fulfil what I had set out to achieve.

Post-surgery the desire to fulfil my ambition of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro remains and now I am embarking on this journey once more but this time my husband will be joining me on this challenge.

Supporting and advocating for women affected by severe childbirth injuries is a cause close to my heart. This challenge has personal significance for me as I became an ostomate (someone with a stoma) in 2019 after living with the debilitating effects of a traumatic childbirth injury for over 20 years.

Severe childbirth injuries have a significant impact on both physical and psychological quality of life, they are life changing.

Without my colostomy, I wouldn’t have been able to consider taking on a challenge like this. My stoma has given me freedom and a chance to live life as fully as possible. I aim to inspire fellow ostomates to pursue their ambitions and smash stigmas.

A huge thank to everyone who has supported my journey and fundraiser so far. I’m delighted to continue supporting and fundraising for Chameleon Buddies to help them fulfil their aim to build a dedicated stoma facility and continence wing at the Gynocare and Women’s Fistula Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya.

Your donations will go directly to Chameleon Buddies and help the team to make a lasting impact, empowering these women to live their lives to the fullest.

Why and how Chameleon Buddies help women in Kenya:

Across the world, between 50,000 and 100,000 women are affected by a childbirth injury that results in stoma surgery; an opening made in the abdomen where bodily waste is discharged into a bag to bypass the bowel or bladder. Adapting to this change is physically and mentally challenging.

In Kenya, the impact of a stoma is even more isolating. Many are left without the essential stoma bags needed and resort to using unsanitary items from crisp packets to tin cans in an event to prevent leaks. It is impossible for these women or girls to work or attend school and they are often completely excluded from their home communities.

That's where Chameleon Buddies comes in...

Chameleon Buddies is dedicated to ensuring that Kenyan women & girls with stomas receive essential education and stoma care while actively combating stigma. Based in Eldoret, Kenya, we offer support to women and girls facing stomas and continence issues due to fistulas, often stemming from prolonged childbirth. We provide much-needed stoma supplies and aspire to establish a clinic to further support these women.

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