Climbing Kilimanjaro to raise £200k for hospital

A group of 28 people are hoping to amass more than £200,000 for Birmingham Children's Hospital by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

They have raised more than £130,000 towards their target so far, as the group prepares to fly to Tanzania on Wednesday.

The money would go towards the hospital's £3m appeal to transform its front entrance to help reduce the fear of the 100,000 sick children treated at the site every year.

The group begin the climb on Friday and aim to reach the summit on the morning of 5 February.

The group features parents of patients and members of the hospital charity and trust.

Asked why Kilimanjaro was chosen, Mike Weaver, who came up with the idea, said it was "something I'd always wanted to do and I think it's on a lot of people's bucket lists".

With some parents of children cared for by the hospital taking part, he said: "It's great to have them on board and that motivates us to help them."

Mr Weaver said he ran 10km every day for 30 days straight, "just to try and build my fitness up".

He added: "I think everyone's excited to get there, but we know the challenge towards the end is gonna be tough."

It would take those participating eight days to climb and descend Kilimanjaro, the hospital charity stated.

Dave Barnes, who along with Mr Weaver is part of the group, said they had "19,000ft to get up" and added there would be a "lot of altitude", with temperatures at "minus 10 in the tents at night".

He said: "I think the altitude is a real challenge for people and you don't really know how that's gonna affect you until you start climbing."

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