KILIMANJARO Sea to Summit

Our diverse largely Scottish-based team are climbing Kilimanjaro (5895m) and raising funds for the global charities 'Voice of Specially Abled People' (VOSAP) and the mental health charity 'World Jenny's Day'. Both charities do incredible work globally to enable, empower and support people with physical and mental challenges to greater wellness.

Paralysed explorer Karen Darke will be using a specially designed 'ICE' tricycle and says "When the opportunity to climb Kilimanjaro arose, I felt compelled. I hold memories of how climbing on the top of the world lifts us too…the elevation, the perspective, being present, the team and connectedness. In collaboration with global charities VOSAP and WJD (World Jenny's Day, focused on mental health), our very diverse team will fly a flag on top, celebrating diversity, inclusion, the strength of connectedness and nature to support wellbeing and mental health."

In addition to Karen, the team includes visually impaired Paralympic gold medalist & climber Steve Bate direct from the World Cycling champs, 12 year old mountain lover Amelia from Thailand with her first-time-up-a-mountain mum Bow, Inverness-shire family man Kevin climbing with his daughters in heart, Jannie from Denmark elevating her mental health, with Inverness-based film-makers Mike Webster who has narcolepsy and Sherrill Mason from Spiral Out Pictures, out for their own challenge as well as to tell the story.

We are all passionate about the charities we are supporting, and are super grateful for anyone who feels able to contribute to the charity work.

The vision of VOSAP is "to operate as the transformation catalyst for the world to become an “ACCESSIBLE” and “INCLUSIVE” place where Specially Abled People enjoy equality as human beings, opportunity to excel and contribute based on their abilities and live with dignity and independence." Details here, https://www.voiceofsap.org with the great news that ALL DONATIONS MADE HERE WILL BE DOUBLED by a generous donor.

A proportion of the funds raised will also be made to the mental health charity "World Jenny's Day", using performing and creative arts to normalise conversation around depression, suicide and their solutions, https://worldjennysday.com

“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.”

John Muir

HUGE THANK YOU! And please know that NONE of the funds are towards the trip, ALL DONATIONS will go direct to the charities. Follow Karen and the team at @handbikedarke (Instagram) or on Facebook for updates, or via the Press & Journal.