A CHESTER woman has set off on a gruelling eight-day trek up Mount Kilimanjaro for Save the Family.
After a year of fundraising and training, the challenge became a reality this week as Rhiannon Thompson flew out to Tanzania to tackle Africa’s highest mountain.
Rhiannon, 28, marketing director at The Spinney day nursery in Chester, said: “I can’t believe how quickly the time has gone!
“It has been a busy year of fundraising with a variety of events and, with the help of more than a few people, I have managed to raise £3,500.”
The journey will provide many challenges including high altitude, climate variations and mixed terrain.
As part of her training, Rhiannon climbed peaks in Snowdonia, the Lake District and the Yorkshire Dales and completed challenges including the Welsh 3000 and Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge.
“I’ve definitely made the most of the great outdoors,” she added.
“The days will be long and having never experienced trekking at high altitude I am not sure how my body will react.
“But whether I summit or not, the journey this year has been an amazing experience and I am sure it is to continue, but fingers crossed I get to the top.”
If you would like to support Rhiannon’s Kilimanjaro Trek you can donate online at www.justgiving.com/ Rhiannon-Thomson.
