A team of charity trekkers have climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro to raise £5,000 for The Children’s Centre.
Nathaniel Harper, Stephen Trimble, Ann Campbell, and Lesley Joyce set out on the challenge to reach the summit at 5,895 metres above sea level in northern Tanzania near the border with Kenya. Three of the four completed the full challenge, but Ann was unable to make it to the summit due to ill health.
The route that the Manx trekkers followed was along the Lemosho Trail - one of the lesser trodden paths to the summit, but one that was taken by celebrities who climbed the mountain in aid of Comic Relief in 2009.
The 12-day trip started with a flight to Nairobi, Kenya, and a transfer to Arusha across the border into Tanzania the following day.
The walking began with a trek through the rainforest from Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubw (Big Tree) Campsite at an altitude of 2,800 metres
There was another 700 metres of climbing the next day, and just 300 metres the following day to allow the trekkers to acclimatise gradually to the thinner air.
The trip culminated with The Children’s Centre adventurers making an early start for the final push to the summit from Barafu Hut to Uhuru Peak - the highest point in Africa.
After ascending just over 1,200metres in one day the reward for the effort was with the chance to watch a spectacular sunrise.
Mark Eastham, adventure events fundraising co-ordinator at The Children’s Centre, said: ‘The Kilimanjaro trek is a demanding challenge both physically and mentally.
‘We’re extremely grateful to all four fundraisers who took up the challenge and for the magnificent fundraising total. All of the proceeds will go towards our charitable projects for families and children across the island including Mobex, Out2Play, Child Contact Centre, Community Development and the Community Farm.’
Lesley Joyce said the whole group found that it was a tough challenge, but one that all the team would never forget.
She added: ‘We all supported each other with encouragement, banter and especially laughter. As a group we are immensely proud that we reached the top and think we were all pretty spectacular, brave and determined.’
As part of their fundraising drive Lesley and Ann did several bag packing days at supermarkets and held a summer ball at Mount Murray.
They thanked Shoprite for their co-operation and everyone else who donated money and raffle prizes.
Stephen Trimble said The Children’s Centre was a charity close to his heart as his son Noah attends the charity’s nursery facilities in Douglas.
‘I wanted to give them something back for giving him such a great start in life, and challenge myself at the same time,’ he said.
‘The climb was incredibly tough with a number of the 18-strong group from around the UK not making the summit due to altitude sickness or pure exhaustion.
‘After seven days of trekking, the eight-hour climb through the night to reach the crater rim just after sunrise was an experience I will never forget. Huge thanks to everyone who donated, it really is appreciated.’ The Kilimanjaro trek was run in conjunction with specialist charity challenge organisers Global Adventure Challenges, and it was one of a series of adventurous fundraising events organised each year by the Children’s Centre. For details about other events go to http://www.thechildrenscentre.org.im/adventure-events/
