Intrepid Kids' Village team complete Kilimanjaro challenge

An intrepid team representing Kids’ Village charity have conquered Kilimanjaro – raising nearly £60,000.

The 20-strong team, led by Kids’ Village founder Sam Fletcher-Goodwin embarked on an eight-day climb of the world’s tallest freestanding mountain – known as ‘the roof of Africa’.

The trekkers battled through unprecedented weather conditions – including a snow storm described by locals as the “worst weather experienced for seven years” – to complete the challenge.

The total raised, which currently stands at £59,300, will contribute to the overall fundraising target of £5m to build the UK’s first holiday resort for critically ill children.

Sam, who was inspired to start the charity after visiting the Florida-based Give Kids The World Village following her battle with cancer as a child, said: “Battling affects of altitude and weather were the biggest challenges for the team and by the time we reached base camp at 4,673m we had lost two of the team to altitude sickness, who had to descend. 

“After what most of the team - including two ex-marines - were calling the hardest thing they've ever done, we still had the summit to go. 

“The team pushed on to the top - an eight-hour climb, in the dark, in a snow storm, and 16 of the starting 20 summited just before 8am on 28 February.”

Kids’ Village charity is a patron of the Asian Business Chamber and Lichfield & Tamworth Chambers of Commerce.

The first Kids’ Village resort will be built in a countryside location just outside Lichfield.

To find out more information, download the charity's fundraising pack.