A team from LJMU is selflessly taking on Africa’s highest mountain in support of Dig Deep charity.
Their mission is focused on Bomet County in Kenya by creating access for the one million people that live there. They believe that everyone has the right to clean water, safe toilets, and good hygiene – yet two out of three children in the region do not have access to this.
Dig Deep has partnered with LJMU to send a team up the 5,895-metre mountain with the aim of fundraising for the charity.
The team will be starting the climb in August next year and are spending the next few months training and building up their fitness ready for their ascent.
The climb will take four days up and two days down. They will be sent up with a crew to assist the group in the climb that abides by the highest ethical standard – all being approved by the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP).
It’s going to be a fantastic experience
The current team is made up of around 15 people in their 20s. They are still in the recruiting process and are hoping for as many people as possible to sign up before the cut-off at the end of the month.
“Just looking forward to it, going to be a fantastic experience and can’t wait to finally get the team altogether,” said team leader Campbell Macintosh-Watson.
Every person who signs up will get their own personalised website with their fundraising target on which people can donate directly, and the individuals will also be doing various methods of fundraising to maximise their donations.
The team is made up of individuals with all abilities, with some keen climbers and some absolute beginners, but all share the same excitement to have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity while also doing work for a community that needs it.
Ben Shepard happened to come across the opportunity on Instagram and was instantly looking to join.
An eager hiker, as part of the LJMU Hiker Society he is looking forward to the challenge understanding the hike will be slightly harder than the usual adventures he takes on.
Although they are a student group, alumni and non-students can join – so if you want to tick it off your bucket list whilst also helping a great cause check out their Instagram @ljmukilimanjaro and see how you can help.
Just be quick as registration closes on Thursday (November 30).
Featured image (c) Dig Deep
