Kilimanjaro charity trek lures those seeking fitness challenge

Braving nature, challenging themselves and charity are the key reasons why 25 people have pledged to trek to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds to buy ambulances for Africa's needy.

The trekking challenge is being arranged by Gulf for Good, a new charity that will raise money for humanitarian agencies and causes around the world by staging fitness-challenging adventures.

Mount Kilimanjaro is the first challenge and funds raised from it will be used to buy at least four 4X4 Land Rover ambulances for use by communities in Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia and Namibia.

The trek up Africa's highest mountain, 19,340-foot Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, is not an easy task. It requires a high degree of fitness and determination. "As I've matured, I needed to know what I can do," said 60-year-old Paul Campbell. The general manager of an Australian IT company in Dubai, Campbell has been active all his life, but never done anything as adventurous as the Kilimanjaro trek.

"I tried to climb the highest mountain in Borneo, but that didn't work out. So when I heard about Gulf for Good, I signed up immediately, along with a Bahraini friend. "I've been incredibly excited since I signed on. It's a great idea because not only do you give, you can do something for yourself, too. There are so many people hurting in that part of the world in one way or the other, that I would like to help in some way possible.

"Also, it's a great opportunity to meet talented mountaineers and like-minded people. In fact, when I go back home to Australia in a few years' time, I hope to start an organisation of this kind there."

For 56-year-old osteopath Malcolm Gregory, charity is the main reason for his participation. Last year he cycled through India to help raise funds to build a school in Bangalore. He covered 3,600 kilometres. "I like challenges and I like appropriate charities that have specific objectives," he said.

For 44-year-old Valerie Abernathy, who is in the hotel supply business, the challenge offers an opportunity to test new levels of fitness. She said she would train intensively by trekking in Costa Rica and Oman. "It is difficult to stay fit here, so this offers a fun way to achieve that. Also, it's an exciting way to help people."

Financial accountant Venkat Raghavan hopes to lose weight. The 32-year-old Indian said, "I love adventure and the thrill of trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro is too much to resist. I hope to slim down a lot due to it."

For others it is the lure of nature and the untamed African wilderness. British expatriate Martin Bond is participating because it will give him an opportunity to enjoy Africa. The 28-year-old banker, an avid mountaineer, said, "The wildlife and the fact that it is the fourth highest mountain make the Mount Kilimanjaro challenge very attractive. I enjoy mountaineering, so here I have an opportunity to do something I love and contribute to charity doing it. It's great."

Gulf for Good is supervised by a board of governors comprising business and government officials. All are volunteers, including the charity's solicitors, auditors and the two chief organisers, Brian Wilkie, Challenge Director, and Paul Oliver, Charity Director.

Participants for the mountain challenge will be limited to 50. They must pay an entry fee of Dh1,500 and raise a minimum of Dh12,000 to take part. Those raising over Dh20,000 will have their entry fees refunded.

Sami Wilkie, Brian's wife, is taking up the challenge to share the experience with him. "I think it would be extremely romantic to see the dawn from the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, and it would be very sad if I couldn't share that with Brian. "Also, I needed to know that I'm not too old to do it," said the 47-year-old Sami.

For Peter Holloway, it's about testing his physical capacity. The 50-year-old general manager of a marine consultancy in the UAE said, "Five years ago I had a very bad accident. I had my back broken in three places.

"I know what it's like to be very ill but, thankfully, I recovered because of the good medical help that I got here. This challenge will help me to provide medical aid in some way to people who need it in Africa.

"Also, this is the first major outdoor event I'm taking up after the accident. So it's the personal challenge of reaching the top of Africa's highest mountain. "In the past I have been trekking to the Andes and Central America. I missed that after the accident. This challenge presents an opportunity to go back to that."