In September 2023, I will be joining Choose a Challenge UK in the opportunity of a lifetime to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. This incredible charity event is being set up by my university and I will be taking on the challenge with other students across the UK. All proceeds will be donated to the Meningitis Research Foundation in order to raise awareness of this global life threatening disease. 

Mount Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano located in Tanzania, Africa. It is the tallest mountain in Africa, and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. It stands at 5,895 metres above sea level (slightly higher than Everest Base Camp) and will take us roughly 6 days to reach the summit. As we ascend up the mountain we will be tackling altitudes of 49% less oxygen than sea level, camping in rocky terrains, and sleeping at temperatures below 0ºC.

The Meningitis Research Foundation is a charity which researches and raises awareness of Meningitis, a disease which affects more than 2.5 million people world wide each year. It is responsible for more deaths of children under 5 than malaria, measles, tetanus, and AIDS combined. The charity aims to help achieve a world free from meningitis by enabling better access to vaccines; improving health worker training; and providing appropriate support for people and families affected by meningitis. The World Health Organisation has a global plan to defeat meningitis by 2030, and hopefully save more than 200,000 lives annually. The Meningitis Research Foundation aims to support this goal. 

Throughout the year I will be organising fundraising events which I will keep everyone up to date with. Any donations would be greatly appreciated, all of which will be going to this amazing charity and will help change the live's of those who need it!

Lots of love, Cate xo