I’m climbing Mount Kilimanjaro — all 5,895 metres of it — with a team, to raise funds for Ol Pejeta Conservancy. And I’m asking my network to help turn that challenge into something truly life-changing.

Standing on the roof of Africa will be an incredible achievement. But what I really want to achieve is something much bigger than reaching the summit.

I want to raise £800. Because £800 can fund a full year of education for a student from the communities around Ol Pejeta Conservancy.

That means a year at school with fees, accommodation, meals and the support they need to learn, grow and build a future for themselves.

For a young person, that is so much more than a school place. It is 12 months of opportunity. Twelve months of learning, stability and possibility. And a chance to take another step towards a future that might otherwise have been out of reach.

Why Ol Pejeta?

Ol Pejeta Conservancy, in Kenya, is internationally recognised for its work protecting wildlife and supporting the communities who live alongside it. Conservation is about more than protecting endangered species; it is also about creating opportunities for people and helping build a future in which both wildlife and communities can thrive.

Education is a vital part of that future. But for some families, the cost of sending a child to school, including fees and meals, can be a significant barrier.

That is why this fundraising challenge matters to me. I want to help turn the support of my own network into a tangible opportunity for a young person in the Ol Pejeta community.

What can £800 really do?

It can give one student a full school scholarship for an entire year

Think about that for a moment. A relatively small contribution from a group of people can come together to cover a whole year of education for one young person.

If 40 people donate £20, that’s £800.

If 80 people donate £10, that’s £800.

And if you can give just £5, you are still helping to make it happen.

This isn't about one person making a huge donation. It's about all of us doing something achievable together, and seeing exactly what our collective effort can accomplish.

The challenge

Kilimanjaro rises to 5,895 metres above sea level. Getting to the summit and back down again will demand determination, teamwork and a fair amount of grit.

But every step will have a purpose beyond the mountain.

When the climb gets tough, I’ll be thinking about the young person whose education we are helping to fund — and the difference a year of opportunity can make.

My target is £800. Your donation, however large or small, will help me get there.

Please donate if you can, share this page with your friends and family, and help me turn this mountain challenge into a life-changing opportunity.

The summit will be special. But helping a young person access a year of education? That would be something truly worth climbing for.

Thank you for being part of it.