My journey to the roof of Africa and meeting the children at MKombozi School

Wednesday 5th October 2011. I land at Kilimanjaro airport with 12 other ‘climbers’ from across the railway industry and our nervous but excited chatter underlines the big question on everyone’s mind – “Are we really ready for this”.  Climbing a 19,340 foot mountain is a major challenge and unlike “celebrities” we know don’t have the luxury of helicopters and porters!  A couple of hours later finds us at Kia Lodge where a good night’s sleep is recommended and we can only agree.

Thursday 6th October A scenic two-hour drive takes us into the mountain’s foothills and we are soon signing the climber’s book at the start of the Lemosho Route.  Described as a difficult but incredibly scenic way to climb the mountain it doesn’t seem that way as we stare at the tropical rainforest in front of us.  All that day we climb continuously through the rainforest and make camp among the among the din of the jungle that night.

Friday 7th October After six hours climbing we finally burst clear of the rainforest into scrubland that could be mistaken for the Welsh Valleys.  And there, way in the distance, stands Kilimanjaro rising majestically through the clouds.  Privately, I thought “Well it doesn’t seem so big” and then I realized that it was still a three day climb away!

Saturday 8^th, Sunday 9^th and Monday 10^th October The next three days were spent countouring through the increasingly steep foothills in steadily deteriorating weather that began to impact on some members of the group.  The going was hard and getting harder but through increasingly effective teamwork we gradually climbed up to 16,000 feet to the Barafu camp-site walking up to eight hours each day.  There, we were able to gaze up at the final 3,500 feet to the summit.  Some readers will recognize that this is the same as climbing Ben Nevis from sea level and we had already climbed over 12,000 feet!

Tuesday 11^th October Sleeping until midnight, we left for our attempt on the summit.  It was pitch black, the temperature was minus 25 degrees and a howling side-wind left us chilled to the bone.  But the only way was up and finally we reached Stella Point which, at 5,730 metres was only a short distance from the summit.  Looking around I realized that we were standing on the edge of a long extinct volcano, its crater edged lined with 200 foot ice-walls and huge boulders strewn across like a scene from the moon.  And there, way below was the cloud base and the incredible nature of what we were undertaking really took hold.  But, with the weather conditions worsening it was time for the final push.  Only six of the original party remained by this stage and we were determined to get to the top.  Climbing through the snow line and with the ground dropping away thousands of feet either side we pushed on trying to take in the beautiful scenery that flitted into view through the clouds below.  Finally, two hours later, we made it.  Marked by a simple wooden signpost the “highest point in Africa” provided an unforgettable landscape of blue and white as the African savannah stretched out before us in an eerie silence broken only by the wind.

Wednesday 12^th and Thursday 13^th October All too soon it was time to descend and we spent the next two days making our way back to Kia Lodge where my ‘hour in the shower’ never felt so good.

Friday 14th October What a day!  We arrived at the Mkombozi Village School mid morning and were immediately thronged by some 20 young pupils from the school that is funded by the Railway Children Charity.  All around us was gaiety, smiling faces and young people eager to demonstrate their dance and singing skills.  It was a magical time.  I had combed my contacts throughout the football league in the UK for signed shirts and footballs and the look on the children’s faces as we handed them out was indescribable (as were the football skills of some of our party!!).  We were then privileged to visit the ‘Hard Life Artists’ centre located within the complex.  Here, former pupils with amazing skill and dexterity were producing and selling local craft and art and also teaching the pupils the same skills.  What an amazing and emotionally draining climax to my time in Africa.

I would like to thank all those people that have supported and made possible my incredible journey.  So far, we have raised over £4,300 for the Railway Children Charity and, if what I have written here, inspires you to give a little more then I both salute and thank you.  Yours Josh

On being given the great news that I was to have the privilege of representing Benchmark Training Ltd in climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in October of this year it was a case of getting down to the serious business of fundraising for our chosen charity: ‘Railway Children’.  To-date our fundraising total stands at £3,500 and we are all working hard to increase that to £4,000 before I leave for Africa.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my bosses at Benchmark for allowing me to go on the trip and for giving me the time and encouragement to raise the amounts that we have.  So where has the money come from so far:

• Paul ‘Digger’ Gardiner organised a fantastic football skills coaching day for local children and raised £450.
• Friends and family have made sizeable donations.
• A large amount has been raised on Network Rail’s the Practical Leadership Programme (PLP) courses.
• We have received kind donations of signed football kits and cricket bats which we successfully auctioned.

So, as you can see, we have been very busy and, with only 2 weeks to go, the race is now on to reach our target of £4,000.

A big thank you to everyone that has ‘dug deep’ and helped me so far.  I am grateful for all your efforts and humbled by your generosity.  All I have to do now is climb a seriously steep mountain!

Please watch this space for more news on my charity climb.

A video is now available of last years group of 26 climbers who completed the trek and raised an amazing £180,000 for the Railway Children Charity.

Click here to view