I decided I wanted to climb Kilimanjaro on a holiday to Kenya when I was 17. My trip to hopefully complete my long held ambition is therefore completely self funded and all money raised will go straight to Together for Short Lives.

I will be following the challenging Machame route starting in hot forests, into Savannah grasses and then on dusty volcanic rock and glacier. We will be going from extreme heat to extreme cold. I really hope I will have done enough training in the Yorkshire Hills to help me reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.... The roof of the world!

The route will involve 8 days of walking (including acclimatisation treks) with 6 nights under canvas and I will be battling mosquito's, altitude sickness and enjoying fresh air toilets. All whilst tackling the infamous Barranco wall and ultimately summit night which involves 8 hours of climbing in the dark and then 8 hours of descent. More than a third of climbers don't make it to the top.

It's a privilege whilst I am doing this to raise money for Together for Short Lives. An incredible charity who are here to make sure the 99,000 seriously ill children and their families in the UK can make the most of every moment they have together – whether that’s for years, months or only hours. Many of these children have complex conditions and need specialist care 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Together for Short Lives help with the fundamentals needed supporting hospices and families across the UK.

I would be so grateful if you can spare any amount to help their work. Morrisons will also be match funding any money raised up to £1000!

Thank you

Ruth