Hello! My name is Caleb and in August 2025 I am taking on a 'mountain mission' to help fight meningitis.
The Climb
In August 2025, I will attempt to summit the worlds tallest free-standing mountain - Mount Kilimanjaro - located in Tanzania, Africa. It towers over the savannah at 5,985 metres, making it the highest peak in the continent. I will be taking on this challenge in conjunction with 'Choose a Challenge' and alongside other students from across the UK and Ireland. Alongside me will be two friends, Noah and Ross.
This climb will take around 6 days, during which we will face a 50 degrees temperature shift, 25°C at the bottom and a chilling -25°C at the peak! We will climb to 19,431 ft above sea level.
The Cause
At the core of this mountain mission is raising funds for the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF), who operate in both the UK and Ireland.
About Meningitis
Meningitis is a sudden and deadly infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges).
Why It Matters
- Meningitis and neonatal sepsis together are the world’s second biggest infectious diseases killers of children under 5.
- Alarmingly, almost 90% of children and teenagers who succumb to meningococcal meningitis die within 24 hours.
- Approximately half of all meningitis deaths are in children under 5 years old. Meningitis and neonatal sepsis kill more under 5’s than malaria, measles and tetanus combined. Collectively, meningitis and neonatal sepsis are the world’s biggest infectious disease killers of newborn babies.
- In 2019, it is estimated that over 230,000 people died of meningitis globally. Over 2.2 million people survived the disease but approximately 1 in 5 of those survivors have been left with an impairment, whether physical, behavioural or neurological.
- This disease affects around 2.3 million people every year, with 1 in 10 of those who are struck by the disease dying. It can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults - with babies being the highest risk group, 70x more likely than adult to suffer from the disease.
The MRF
The MRF are leading the fight against the disease and the funds raised will go toward supporting their primary goal, defeating meningitis. The MRF are involved in funding research, strengthening clinical practice and raising awareness. Thus far, the MRF has invested £20million in fighting the disease.
The Cost
In the interests of transparency, all funds raised will split:
- A donation to the Meningitis Research Foundation, through the partner organisation 'Choose a Challenge'.
- To cover the cost of the expedition (flights, permits).
I am completing the Kilimanjaro expedition through an organisation called Choose a Challenge. They enable hundreds of people to emark on adventures from Peru to Everest Base Camp and support meaningful causes at the same time. This year the expedition from Ireland has partnered with the Meningitis Research Foundation, many others are raising money just like me on behalf of Choose a Challenge. Part of the fundraising target goes toward trip costs, but they ensure charity contributions are completely met before any of my expenses are covered. If you would like to read more visit: https://www.chooseachallenge.com/.
Organizer
Caleb Moore
Organizer