In October 2025 I will be climbing the world's highest freestanding mountain, with 19 other inspirational women (including 8 who, like myself, have permanent stomas) to raise money for Chameleon Buddies, a charity who support women and girls in Eldoret, Kenya, who have stomas and continence issues following fistulas, many of which are as a result of prolonged childbirth.

Across the world, between 50,000 and 100,000 women are affected by a childbirth injury that results in stoma surgery. Adapting to this change is physically and mentally challenging for many UK women who need support to accept and adjust to this hidden disability. 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 attempt 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.

The purpose of the trek is to raise money to build an entirely new wing at Gynocare womens fistula hospital, a wing dedicated to stoma and continence; with training, and educational facilities, clinic space, storage space and a peer support area. This wing has been quoted at £90,000 so every penny counts.

I live in Allendale with my husband James, and 2 young children. I had emergency surgery to create a stoma in 2021 due to severe ulcerative colitis. Since surgery I have followed and been inspired by Gill Castle (BBC Documentary - Stoma Swimmer). Gill is the founder of Chameleon Buddies and amazingly swam the English Channel as the first ever solo swimmer with a stoma. It was Gill who invited me to join the trek.

I taught in a farm school in South Africa after school, and ever since Africa has a special place in my heart. I gave birth to a stillborn son in 2015 and suffered from a fistula following the birth of my second son; so birth trauma also strikes a chord.

After a tough few years, losing my Mum to cancer in 2023 and the prospect of turning 40 in 2025, I would love to achieve something great for myself but to do so climbing Kilimanjaro while raising funds for the amazing cause of providing hospital facilities for ladies in Kenya with birth trauma and stomas is just perfect.

This will be a huge challenge, an opportunity for me to push myself. The team will head into the wilderness and tackle Mount Kilimanjaro, rising from the rain-forests on the slopes of this dramatic peak. Over nine days of great challenge we will hike at altitude from alpine meadow to luna-like landscape, until we summit the 5,895m peak. This is not just a trek; it’s a symbol of resilience and hope for women who have been injured from childbirth, or who are adapting to life with a stoma.

My trek is full self funded, so every penny raised raised goes directly to the charity. Your support is greatly appreciated.

Thanking you in anticipation.

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