Teachers to tackle Kilimanjaro (From Penarth Times)

Teachers to tackle Kilimanjaro

12:10pm Saturday 6th February 2010

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THE SKY’S the limit for a team of teachers from a Penarth special school, who will hike up Mount Kilimanjaro later this year to raise £40,000.

Fifteen members of the group, which also includes LSAs (Learning Support Assistants) and friends of Ashgrove School, will take on the six-day climb in July.

Money raised from the charity challenge will be used to buy specialist play and therapy equipment for Ashgrove, which caters for young people who have Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

The intrepid hikers, who are aged between 22 and 42 years old, have set up a walking club to help with training for the gruelling event.

Teacher Jess Kingston said: “It’s a huge challenge for all of us and that’s exactly what we were looking for. “We’ve set up a walking club called Ashgrove Alfresco and have walked up Pen Y Fan and the Garth in recent months. “Each of us takes responsibility for our own personal fitness and we’re planning to climb Mount Snowdon in the spring.”

The teachers will tackle the Rongai route up Kilimanjaro, which starts south of the Kenya and Tanzania border – and admit to having some nerves ahead of the big climb.

“We’re all concerned about the altitude as we just can't prepare for it,” said Jess.

“We could be completely match fit but still be hit by altitude and not make it to the top. “The temperature is also a concern as I’m not sure how well we will cope with the cold.

“Being far away from our creature comforts will also be tough and I think it will bring home to us all the things we take for granted, like a warm bed and a shower!

“But our biggest concern is not raising the £40,000,” she added.

“We desperately want to achieve our goal for the children at Ashgrove school.”

To make a donation contact Ashgrove School on 029 2070 4212.

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