A team of 28 climbers has raised over £180,000 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital after successfully scaling Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
The funds will contribute to the hospital’s £3 million appeal to transform its front entrance, creating a more welcoming environment for the 100,000 sick children treated there each year.
Led by Mike Weaver, the group embarked on the challenging trek, with many climbers battling altitude sickness along the way.
Despite the difficulties, every member of the team reached the summit after six days of trekking, marking a significant achievement both physically and mentally.
Weaver described the experience as far more demanding than anyone had anticipated, particularly the final ascent.
The climbers set off in the early hours of Thursday morning, facing a gruelling eight to nine-hour trek in darkness and extreme conditions. The final stretch was described as equivalent to climbing Snowdon, plus an additional few hundred metres, after several days of intense trekking.
Despite the exhaustion, the team remained motivated, drawing strength from one another and the children they were fundraising for.
Weaver reflected on how the challenge brought everyone closer together, with many participants not knowing each other before the climb. The summit night, he said, would be a memory they all cherished for a very long time.
The group also received heartfelt letters from children at the hospital, which served as a powerful reminder of why they took on the challenge. Weaver emphasised that thinking about the young patients kept them going through the most difficult moments.
With an initial goal of £200,000, Weaver is now appealing for further donations to help reach the target. The funds will go towards creating a more comfortable and less intimidating environment at the hospital, helping young patients and their families feel more at ease during treatment.
When asked if he had plans for another challenge, Weaver hinted at new ideas but joked that some team members had already run in the opposite direction at the suggestion of another adventure.
The success of this Kilimanjaro climb has not only raised vital funds for Birmingham Children’s Hospital but has also left a lasting impact on the participants, proving the power of teamwork, determination, and a shared cause.
