Sure Start Speke

Eighteen months ago as I was approaching 40, I decided to do a Charity Challenge for Diabetes UK - to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa (5,850m). I chose this charity because my 9 year son, Liam has been Diabetic since he was 3 and the money raised was for much needed research into the condition.

This was the beginning of a lot of hard work fundraising and training in order to be fit enough to reach the summit of this very big mountain.

On 29th September this year feeling very fit and having raised over £7,600 I finally flew to Africa to attempt the challenge of a lifetime.

The trip was 12 days and it took 8 days to reach the summit. We trekked for 7-8 hours each day and camped each night gradually getting higher. We had a team of 50 porters to carry the supplies up and some very experienced local guides. At 2,800m the effects of altitude started to kick in plus it was getting a lot colder.

The summit was attempted at night with 6 layers of clothes on in temperatures of -25 and a snow blizzard. But we all made it thanks to the wonderful guides we had to keep us going.

The whole trip was amazing and the determination and stamina it took to make it to the top of Kilimanjaro was well worth it. I met some great people and Tanzania is a beautiful country - I hope to return one day.