In February, I will be taking on the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro alongside Adam and Josh. At 19,341 feet (5,895 metres), it’s Africa’s highest mountain and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. For reasons that are still unclear, we’ve decided this is a good idea.

The climb takes eight days and passes through five different climate zones, from tropical rainforest to an arctic summit. Temperatures can drop to minus 20 degrees, oxygen levels are around 50% of those at sea level, and common side effects include exhaustion, headaches, and questioning all of your life choices. It’s a serious physical and mental challenge.

I’m doing this in memory of my Grandma, Una, who recently passed away.

Una dedicated many years of her life to caring for and supporting others at St Gemma’s Hospice, where she served as Head Nurse. It’s a place that perfectly reflects who she was as a person compassionate, selfless, and always thinking of others. She spent her life helping people through the hardest moments imaginable, usually without ever making a fuss about it.

All donations raised will go directly to St Gemma’s Hospice to help them continue their incredible work supporting patients and families when they need it most.

Every donation, big or small, truly makes a difference and will also help justify why we’re voluntarily walking uphill for eight days in freezing temperatures.

Thank you so much for your support.

More information about St. Gemma's Hospice:

St.Gemma's Hospice in Leeds is the largest Hospice in Yorkshire. We provide the best possible care and quality of life for local people with cancer and other life threatening illnesses. It's a friendly, warm and safe place at the heart of the local community with a large range of services to support patients, their families and friends both in the Hospice and in the community.

St. Gemma's is a local charity providing all our services for free therefore we rely on the support and generosity of the public.