Climbing Kili for Cancer Kids

Magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro

Things are cooking here at the Little Fighters Cancer Trust ! Today we are introducing yet another Fundraising Adventure ~ Climbing Kili for Cancer Kids.

Mount Kilimanjaro, with its three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira, is a dormant volcanic mountain in Tanzania. It is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 5,895 metres above sea level. [Source: Wikipedia]

Four intrepid hikers are going to take on the trek to Uhuru Peak via the Rongai Route in July to raise Cancer Awareness and funds for Little Fighters Cancer Trust.

The Rongai Route is the only northern approach to Kilimanjaro, and offers a true wilderness experience on the early stages of the climb and a very tough final summit from the north.

The Team will depart on 29 June and will start their hike, which will take 6 or 7 days, on 1 July. They will sleep over in tents, in caves, and in campsites along the way.

The Rongai Route encompasses hiking through cypress plantations, two patches of montane forest, moorland covered in heather, slight to extremely steep gradients, loads of wildlife, stunning views, dramatic landscapes, and much more.

The air can get very thin along the way, as one goes from around 1 950 m at the start to 5 895 m at Uhuru.

The team will hopefully summit Uhuru Peak, otherwise known as “The Roof of Africa” from where one can stand and look out over the entire African continent, on the 5th of July.  Team Kili should be back at the base on the evening of the 6th of July.

Team Kili
Sanet Kotze, Andre Reyneke, Johan Smit & Murray le Roux

Team Kili is composed of:

André Reyneke ~ A Pastor in the Dutch Reformed Church in Monte Vista, and an intrepid adventurer who has been hiking all over Africa and has been using Table Mountain as his training ground for the past few months.

Via his work as a pastor, André has seen many people both die and survive cancer, and realised through his dealings with these families that people with cancer as well as their families need a lot of moral, spiritual and financial support, which is why he decided to raise funds for Little Fighters Cancer Trust with a quest to conquer Kilimanjaro with some friends.

“With this hike to Kilimanjaro, the Top of Africa, I would like to show people (and especially my 2 wonderful kids Hugo and Cara) that dreams can be made reality, and that God gave us one life that we must live to the full, and that whilst we are on this “hike of life” that we must help others because we are not inhabitants of Africa and this world merely for ourselves.”

Johan Smit ~ A Mathematical Literacy Teacher at Goodwood College, a Mountain Biker and a Penalty Judge at Drum Majorette Competitions. Johan started running marathons when his first daughter was born with spina bifida in 1985 and is a five-time Comrades Marathon entrant.

Johan’s wife lost her battle to cancer in 2014 after a seven-year battle, during which time he became acutely aware of how many people are fighting cancer and the effect it has on the relatives of the person with cancer. He is a member of a cancer support group, “die Molle,” at his local church and apart from raising funds for The Little Fighters Cancer Trust, he is the Kili trek in honour of his late wife.

“I am an African born in Africa and chose Mount Kilimanjaro as my mountain to climb. I have taken up the challenge to reach the summit of Africa and want to honour along this way my late wife and other friends who have lost the fight against cancer as well as those who are still fighting a battle.”

Murray le Roux ~ A retired Actuary, proud father and grandfather, inveterate hiker, and six-time Comrades Marathon entrant, Murray still works on a contractual basis to “maintain his active lifestyle and to stay relevant.”

His step-daughter passed away from cancer at the young age of 36, leaving a 3-year-old son, now 6, who has a form of autism and is attending a school for kids with special needs. Murray is dedicating his climb to his grandson, Jordan.

“With this hike up Kilimanjaro, I wish to support the Little Fighters Cancer Trust, and I dedicate it to Jordan and all the people who are living with the consequences of having lost someone in their lives through cancer, as well as those who are fighting the disease and still have hope.”

Sanet Kotze ~ This proud wife and mother, ex-athlete, and inveterate traveller adds the feminine touch to Team Kili. Even though Sanet is widely travelled and was impressed by the beautiful Jungfraujoch in Switzerland, Table Mountain will always be the most beautiful place to her.

Sanet’s mother is a Survivor, and Sanet does this hike in honour of her, to raise funds for the work the Little Fighters Cancer Trust does in supporting Children with Cancer in thanks for the support that was given her mother during her battle with cancer.

“The assistance of friends and family help ease the difficulties that we encounter in life. All I can do in life is to do my best, give my best and live each day as if it is my last, regardless of my circumstances, and in the process help my fellow humans.”

DONATIONS

Donations can be made via the following methods:

SMS “KILI” to 40770 to donate a once-off R20 to the Little Fighters Cancer Trust

Make a Donation via our Back-a-Buddy Page

Bank Deposits (Please mark your deposit “KILI”)

Bank Details:

Account Holder: Little Fighters Cancer Organization
Bank: FNB Paarl Mall
Account No: 622 777 83249
Branch code: 250057
Swift code for international donations: FIRNZAJJ
Trust Reg No: IT2817/2010

PayPal – Donations

The Little Fighters Cancer Trust will appreciate any show of Support by ways of a donation. 100% of funds raised will be used by the Little Fighters Cancer Trust to provide Support to Children with Cancer across South Africa.

Corporate donors who would like to be issued with Section 18A Tax Certificate and BBEEE Documentation, can contact Mandie Erasmus from the Little Fighters Cancer Trust directly on 073 729 6155 or mandie@littlefighters.org.za .

The Little Fighters Cancer Trust is a registered NPO with PBO status and is a Level 4 BBEEE Contributor. For more information, please feel free to visit our website and join us on social media, either on our Facebook Page or on Twitter @LFCancerTrust

Watch this page for more details about this Heartfelt Hike as things unfold…