Climbers back on home turf (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Climbers back on home turf

8:00pm Thursday 1st November 2012 in News

Charity fundraisers from Katch have arrived safely back in England after all eight team members reached the top of Kilmanjaro.

Katch, or Kilimanjaro Adventure Towards Children’s Hospital, is made up of a group of friends raising money for the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Bristol Children’s Hospital.

They started fundraising 14 months ago, as a thank you for the unit’s care of Alice Strange, daughter of founder members Nicola and Paul Strange from Cherhill, when she was diagnosed with leukaemia. She has now finished treatment.

During the climb the Katch team was supported by a crew of 39 porters and three guides. After beginning the trek on October 18 they reached the Uhuru Peak, 5,895 metres above sea level, on October 22 at 5.30am.

During the journey they wore T-shirts from NCE Computer Company, a local business which has supported them through the 14 months of fundraising, and at the end each team member gave their T-shirts, as well as their walking clothing and boots to their own porter.

Mrs Strange said the team were glad to give something back to the people who had helped them complete their challenge.

Katch will hold a few more committee meetings to round off the fundraising and collect in final sponsorships and then a cheque will be presented to the intensive care unit. Anyone wishing to donate to the charity can visit www.justgiving.com/katch