<p>Thank you for visiting our fundraising page.</p> <p>I am sure many of you know friends or family members who have suffered or are suffering with cancer and we are no different. We have both had family who have died of cancer which is why this charity is so close to our hearts and why we are taking on this gruelling challenge to support the amazing work they do.</p> <p>Kilimanjaro, is the highest mountain in Africa at an elevation of 5,895m and the fourth highest of the Seven Summits. Kilimanjaro is considered the tallest freestanding mountain in the world and is composed of three distinct volcanic cones. Kilimanjaro is a giant stratovolcano that began forming a million years ago when lava spilled from the Rift Valley zone. Kilimanjaro lies within the 756-square-kilometer Kilimanjaro National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the few places on earth that encompasses every ecological life zone including tropical jungle, savannah, and desert to montane forests, subalpine plants, and the alpine zone above timberline.</p> <p>The biggest challenge and danger is the high altitude. Climbers die from improper acclimatization and altitude Sickness rather than falls. Kilimanjaro is not a peak you can climb on your own. It is mandatory to climb with a licensed guide and have porters carry your equipment. This sustains the local economy and allows local people to reap the rewards of tourism.</p>