Climbing Mountains to Save Lives

Working with The Small Things, I never cease to be amazed by all of the brave and slightly crazy things that people are willing to do in order to help those in need. There are many wonderful people out there, who work unbelievably hard every single day to help people they haven’t even met, care for those who need them the most, and take part in ridiculously courageous challenges to try to raise money for charity.

One such person is Danielle Carr, a 19 year old student at Manchester University, who is willing to push her body to the limits and attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in order to raise money for the Meningitis Research Foundation- a brilliant cause.

Here, Danielle tells us more about this incredible project:

“Hi, my name is Danielle, I’m 19 years old and from Newcastle. I currently live in Manchester and am in my second year at the University of Manchester studying Management, specialising in Marketing. This year I wanted to do something different and help to raise money for charity, which is why I’ve taken on the challenge of climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro.

The charity I’m raising the money for is the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF), which helps to fund research to prevent meningitis and septicaemia in order to improve survival rates and outcomes. It promotes education and awareness to reduce death and disability, and gives support to people affected. This disease can kill people within hours and those who survive it can be left with problems that can dramatically affect their lives. I’m sure you will agree that MRF is a great cause and the work they do really does make a difference. The money I raise will go directly to the charity in order to help them with their research and in return they will fund the costs of flights to get there. I have a target of £2500 to reach and I would love to be able to exceed it.

The reason that I’ve decided to do this project is that I wanted to achieve something that was challenging. The climb will be in August this year so I’ve got a lot to do in preparation such as raising the money and doing some training so that I am fit enough. I’m nervous, but very excited. It will be such an amazing experience and so rewarding to know that I’ve helped raise money and awareness for Meningitis as well. To sponsor me or to find out more about how my fundraising is going then please click here. Thank you so much for anything you can donate and for supporting me along the way- I really appreciate it."

I really admire anyone who is willing to face such a challenge in order to raise money for people who really need it. Climbing to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, the rooftop of Africa, is an incredible achievement and I can’t think of a better reason to raise the money. Every year thousands of children are affected by meningitis, including some of the children at Nkoaranga Orphanage.

Please join us in supporting Danielle in tackling this mountain of a challenge (Get it? Mountain? Oh dear...). Thank you so much for anything you can give.

As a thank you, please enjoy this beautiful video of our gorgeous boy Ebenezer - who was desperately ill last year with malaria, pneumonia and meningitis all at once - showing us just how far he's come. Give these kids a chance and they will move mountains.