In 2008 I moved from Northern Ireland to George, South Africa with my husband Wayne. We came to establish a sports programme for under-privileged children from the township communities. Fast forward to 2023 and that programme is now a non-fee paying high school in George where disadvantaged young people are getting educated and being given hope through the holistic care that they are receiving.

One of my main areas of involvement now is helping with fund-raising to ensure all the teaching staff get paid, the children receive their school dinners and get transported to and from school each day.

After turning 40 last year I decided that it was time to get out of my comfort zone and tackle the tallest mountain in Africa as a fundraising endeavour.

The summit of Kilimanjaro is at 19,341 feet (5,895 meters) It will take 8 days of hiking through rainforest, heathland, alpine desert, and glaciers in varying conditions which can reach -20°C. If you know me personally you will know I hate the cold, detest working out and tend to quit physical exertion at the first opportunity so for those reasons alone I ask that you would consider donating towards my efforts!

Find our more about our school at https://www.facebook.com/sportacademygeorge