Sukhbir Sodhi from Gravesend recently completed the mammoth challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro – the highest mountain in Africa - for ellenor. Sukhbir trained hard in the months leading up to his departure for Tanzania and has smashed his original goal of raising £1000 for the charity – with his current tally at around £1600.

Sukhbir embarked on the challenge to mark his 40th birthday.

“Some people say I am going through a mid-life crisis but I just think I need some other aims and objectives outside of the normal hum-drum of life,” says Sukhbir. “Why not give back to my local community and have fun - as well as pain - while doing it. I chose ellenor, as I am aware of the amazing work they do and service they provide to the community.”

Sukhbir had already completed the Three Peaks Challenge and had set himself the challenge of conquering a big mountain outside the UK.

“Climbing Kilimanjaro was an amazing experience and one that I will never forget,” says Sukhbir. “It has been in the pipeline for over six years – since the Three Peaks - and I wanted to mark my 40th year on this planet with a charity trek for ellenor; a local charity that supports everyone in the community. It was the toughest challenge I have taken part in – I picked up a bug, had mild altitude sickness and had to contend with my bags getting delayed. However, seeing the sun rise at the peak will stay me forever and may fuel my ambition for another challenge.”

Adds Kate Barnes, Area Fundraising Manager at ellenor: “We are so grateful to Sukhbir for undertaking the enormous challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for ellenor. We know how hard he trained for this adventure and the money he has raised will make a huge difference to the work we do supporting families facing terminal illness across Kent and Bexley.”

There's still time to donate to Sukhbir’s big climb, please visit his JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Sukhbir-Ellenor-Kili-Challenge

Submitted by Angela Ward