Angela inspired by Kilimanjaro Trek

Angela Campbell reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro during a n exhausting expedition into the heart of Tanzania in June.

In doing so she raised a fantastic £5,500 for the Children’s Cancer and Leukaemia Group which is based in the University of Leicester.

Angela, who lives in London Colney, St Albans, told the Times: “I lost five toe nails in the process of coming down from the summit because of the severity of the descent. It was exhausting, but it was a dream.

“As I got older I thought I wanted to do something spectacular and this was it.”

Angela described the entire experience as “amazing.

Her trek began in the rainforests of Lemosho Glades and then onto the Shira Plateau where participants acclimatised.

The route also took in the beautiful Southern Flank, Barranco Wall and Barafu Route towards Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s main ice-capped peak.

Most trekkers suffer considerable discomfort, typically shortage of breath, hypothermia and headaches.

Angela, who did the trek with a work colleague, Kirstie, said: “Kilimanjaro is 19,500 feet high and it was a four day climb up and a day to day-and-a-half down again. The descent was very sore on us because our toenails were constantly rubbing up against the top of our boots as we made our way down.

“It was amazing. We had to carry a 20lb backpack with us and drink three litres of water a day.

“The twenty of us who did the trek raised between £85,000 to £95,000.

“A guy I know, Anthony, who is a proper rock climber inspired me to do it, so I have him to thank.”

Angela intends to come home to Coleraine this week to visit her family.

Perhaps they might organise a foot spa for her...