WEDNESDAY 9AM: THE Melton Times found its way to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro folllowing a gruelling seven-day 70km uphill charity trek by local man Howard Ball.
Mr Ball (43), of Longfield Road, Melton, was among a group of 24 people from all over Britain, along with four leaders, who took part in a 10-day expedition in aid of The Alzheimer’s Society (September 19-29).
Together the whole team is now on target to raise £95,000 which will be spent on research as well as help and care for sufferers.
Mr Ball, who is a parent/helper with the 4th Melton Darwin Scouts, took on the challenge after seeing an advert.
He said: “It was the toughest thing I’ve ever done in my life. I’ve done walks with the scouts before but nothing like this.
“We reached the peak last Thursday and got back on Sunday. It took us seven days to get up and down. In all we trekked about 70km uphill but it felt like a hell of a lot more. At the time it was literally about having the mental attitude to take one more step.”
The team took the Machame route up the mountain - the most scenic albeit steepest ascent.
But despite their exhausting climb the thought of raising so much money for charity spurred them on.
Mr Ball, whose mum, Josie, suffers from dementia, added: “It was just the best thing I’ve ever done and it’s fantastic to have helped raise that sort of money.”
As well as his wife, Sarah, and three children Charlotte (10), Rebecca (8) and Joe (7), Mr Ball would like to thank all those who sponsored and supported him including the Melton Phoenix Lions, W Osborne and Co accountants, local farmers, teachers at Brownlow Primary School where his children go and family and friends.
The full article contains 310 words and appears in Melton Times newspaper.
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* Source: Melton Times
