EIGHT friends from Wirral who are all celebrating their fiftieth birthday this year are marking the occasion by climbing Africa’s highest mountain, Kilimanjaro.
Ian Strettle, from Bromborough, is leading the challenging expedition and the team will start their ascent on February 18.
At 5,895 metres high, Kilimanjaro is the tallest free-standing mountain rise in the world and the team plan to take the more difficult Macheme route to the summit.
Regular training in Snowdonia has been ongoing for the last 12 months in preparation for the trip.
“We can’t prepare for the altitude sickness of course, which can be quite common on Kilimanjaro,” said Ian.
“But I think we’re as ready as we’ll ever be!
“The trip has two purposes - to celebrate my first 50 years, but more importantly, to raise as much money for Lyndale School in Eastham.
“Lyndale is a special needs school for children aged between two and 11. It currently has 34 pupils and 28 of them are wheelchair bound.”
Ian has visited Africa once before, although this will be the first time he’s attempted Kilimanjaro.
“Some of the guys were asking if we should go and celebrate our birthdays at a hotel in Las Vegas instead!” said Ian.
“But I think it’s going to be very memorable.
“Who knows - maybe we’ll all attempt Everest for our sixtieth!”
Ian has funded his own trip so all cash donated will go straight to the Lyndale School Fund.
The money will go to towards a specially adapted 17-seater minibus to replace the schools ancient transport.
The school needs to raise £17,000 of private finance and the Variety Club of Great Britain has agreed to provide the rest.
To make a donation, visit www.justgiving. com/ianstrettle1.
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