Maltese team reaches high for charity

Eleven Maltese climbers reached the peak of Mt Kilimanjaro yesterday after a long, treacherous climb to raise funds for a clinic in Ethiopia.

The team, whose ages range between 21 and 50, now face a two-day descent in the sixth Kilimanjaro Challenge, which since 2005 has raised well over €300,000 for charitable causes.

Expedition leader David Aquilina, 32, said this year’s climb aimed to raise enough funds to build a facility that would cater for the day-to-day medical needs of around 10,000 people who live in the remote Ethiopian area of Karro, where the most common diseases are leprosy and elephantiasis. The target sum is €51,000.

The climbers started their physical training six months ago and were trained in the use of their equipment and how to deal with emergencies.

They left Malta on Sunday week and the intensive training paid off, with the whole team making the 5,893 metre climb to the top of Africa’s highest mountain.

The tragic death in August of 25-year-old Wayne Vella, who had completed the challenge last year, served as an inspiration to the group, many of whom were close to Mr Vella.

Three of Mr Vella’s second cousins, Marie, 25, her brother Karl, 22, and their cousin Andrea Vella, 21, all of Mġarr, were among those who completed the climb.

The Kilimanjaro Challenge has so far raised funds for a school and a convent in Kenya and for a Maltese patient who was helped to overcome the consequences of meningitis.

The Labour Party yesterday congratulated the group.

Those wishing to make a donation to the cause may do so at HSBC account number 0612 4933 0001 or Bank of Valletta number 4001 9279 620.