Kilimanjaro climb glory

A team of 44 University of Bath students have raised £100,000 for charity by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

They tackled the Tanzanian mountain, which is the highest in Africa, during a six-day challenge, and even found time to meet some of the children their fundraising will help.

They have supported Childreach International, which works with youngsters and their families living in poverty.

Maths student Matthew Kemp made it to the summit and personally raised £2,500 for the cause.

The 21-year-old said it had been a difficult challenge but worth it.

He said: "It was all quite easy apart from the last day, which was an absolute shocker. I wanted to carry my own backpack because I've got ambitions to climb Everest but it was quite scary near the top.

"I was struggling with altitude sickness and sun stroke and I completely lost my balance near the summit.

"The scenery was amazing and the people were so friendly."

Meanwhile, two students from Bath have set themselves the challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro to raise money for charity.

Kieran Cox and Toby Norton, both 17, from Oldfield Park, are climbing the mountain next year in aid of cancer charity Clic Sargent.

The challenge will see them hiking 19,298 feet from the base of the mountain to the summit. Kieran and Toby are appealing for sponsorship to meet their £9,000 target.

Toby is taking A-levels at Hayesfield School's sixth form while Kieran is studying uniformed public services at City of Bath College. Email climbingkilimanjaro2011@yahoo.com.