Next Kilimanjaro Challenge aims to raise Lm45,000

Participants in the forthcoming Kilimanjaro Challenge 3 between December 29 and January 8 are aiming to collect Lm45,000 in aid of two different causes.

The first Lm15,000 will be used to furnish a school and convent in Ethiopia built with funds collected in Kilimanjaro Challenges 1 and 2 and Lm30,000 will be used to finance the prosthesis of Amy Zahra, an engineering university student who lost her limbs through meningococcal meningitis a few months ago.

To help in the collection of funds, a barbeque is being held at Dimples Bar, in Mosta, on Friday from 8.30 p.m.

Suckling pig will be served in the open air while music will be provided by Ivan Filletti and Scream Daisy. There will also be a number of spot prizes.

At Lm5, the barbeque will include a glass of wine and all proceeds will go towards the challenge.

The Kilimanjaro Challenge 3 will see about 20 volunteers, aged 20 to 40, climbing up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania - the highest mountain in Africa, the world's tallest freestanding massif and one of the world's largest volcanoes.

It is possible to reach the 5,895 metres summit through cloud forest, alpine moorland, high desert and a barren summit zone without any technical climbing ability.

Kilimanjaro Challenge 3 follows two successful expeditions held last year and the year before through which a total of Lm76,000, which were invested in the construction of a school and convent in the Ethiopian village of Bulbula, in the Meki province, were collected.

Besides the training undertaken individually on a daily basis, team members meet three times a week for group physical training.

Group training consists of early morning eight-kilometre walks at a fast pace. Longer treks of 12 to 14 kilometres are undertaken on Sunday mornings. The distance will eventually increase to 35 kilometres.

The team also undertakes circuit training which involves trekking and repeatedly climbing up and down the clay slopes in Ghajn Tuffieha.

It is also planning on climbing Mount Etna in October as well as to undertake a trek around the coast of Gozo.

Donations can be made via SMS on 5061 7371 (Lm1), 5061 8077 (Lm2) and 5061 8927 (Lm3). Donations can also be deposited in bank accounts 40015232535 - Bank of Valletta, 75108050001 - HSBC or 20000443537 - APS.