Portmahomack teenager (19) to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for charity
A PORTMAHOMACK teenager, who is set to climb Africa’s highest mountain, has raised £3000 for charity thanks to the “amazing” support he has received from Easter Ross locals.
Mark Anderson (19), has been a keen climber of Munros for a few years now — so when he came across the opportunity to climb Tanzania’s 19,341-foot Mount Kilimanjaro, he grabbed it with both hands.
“I’d seen it in a lecture, from this charity called Dip Deep, who work to tackle water poverty in the Boumet County in Kenya,” said Mark, a 2nd year engineering student at Strathclyde University. “It was an opportunity to do a sponsored climb of Kilimanjaro, and raise money for the people in the Bomet County. Last September I pledged to raise at least £2990 by June 14, which I reached the other day and I’m so buzzed about! Now that I’ve raised that, I’m excited to raise more money.”
Dig Deep works to provide clean water, safe toilets and good hygiene to the 1 million people of Bomet County, Kenya. Through helping children and their families to access these facilities, the charity “saves lives, improves education, empowers women and strengthens livelihoods”.
Mark explained how, at the time of writing, he had raised the most money so far out of this year’s Strathclyde cohort. Explaining how he managed this, he said: “I think it’s just down to where I live, to be honest! There’s a huge community back home, and I’ve realised that you don’t get that same level of togetherness in these bigger places. It was amazing — I really didn’t expect the support I’ve gotten. It’s been great.”
As well as the one-in-a-lifetime experience of climbing the dormant African volcano, the trip will also be Mark’s first time leaving the UK.
“When I go home [to Portmahomack], I’m planning to do a lot of Munros, to try and get into the best physical condition I can. There’s a lot of challenges going up the mountain, like having less oxygen at the top. Kilimanjaro is not actually such a dangerous mountain — not like Everest, for example — but some people do get altitude sickness at the top, so I think I’m just going to have to be prepared. I’m excited, it’ll be something I’ll be talking about for quite a while!
“I really enjoy climbing the Munros, and climbing Kilimanjaro is something I always wanted to do — so when I saw the opportunity to climb it while helping so many people, I thought I should just go for it. At first I was a bit hesitant, since it’s quite a big step on from Ben Wyvis, but you just have to go for it!
“My mum and my family have helped me a bunch, one of the ways they helped was by holding raffles. I’ve also been sponsored by my friend’s dad’s company in Tain, Ace Highland Joinery. They’ve sponsored £250 for me, and I printed out a flag for them which I’m taking to the top of Kilimanjaro. The Carnegie Cafe have also helped me out with fundraisers.”
Mark will be fundraising for Dig Deep until June 14, and will be leaving for Tanzania at the end of August. Visit his fundraiser on: www.dig-deep.enthuse.com/pf/mark-anderson
