Hire a Hero Gorillas Conquer Kilimanjaro

For most, Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest Peak is hard enough, the logistics of getting to Tanzania and the climb itself of epic proportions.

However Hire a Hero fundraisers, 12 in 12 Challengers, Haydn Richards, Ashton Bailey and Dom Connolly were left with obstacles to face before their climb had even begun.

“Things didn’t start off well,” explained Richards, “our rooms got raided in Nairobi and we got most of our mountain kit stolen.”

The theft left the Gorillas to improvise with the kit that remained, although boots and clothes were available to rent.

This did not deter the charity’s team of plucky fundraisers however, who completed the climb inside anticipated time – but it wasn’t all plain sailing, as Richards explains:

“It took us four days to reach the summit. I got hit with altitude sickness first, fortunately this happened at base camp three so I had a full 12 hours to recover, then Dom and Ashton felt the effects.

“We wondered at one point if the whether the summit was possible, however we all managed to keep going strong and made it!”

After completing what is challenge number six of the yearlong fundraising effort Richards has already set sights on another of the world’s highest peaks.

“I will do another one,” Richards said confidently, “not sure which one yet though. The goal is Everest.”

At the half waypoint of the 12 in 12 Challenge, Mauna Kea (Hawaii), the UK Three Peaks and coast-to-coast bike ride are just a handful of the events to come.

You can show your support for the Hire a Hero Gorillas by joining the remaining challenges or by visiting the team’s donation page HERE.