Every journey starts with a single step, as Confucius told the world. For Ese Overo-Tarimo, that first stride was into a Tarzan-like jungle at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, as she described to an enraptured assembly today; her goal was to reach the summit and back in 6 days.  No small challenge - it stands at 19,341 feet above sea level, the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. Factor in the plunge in temperature to  -16^o Celsius, lack of oxygen and altitude sickness, and the mission becomes sometimes impossible. Indeed the guides insisted Ese's brother must return to the base when his sickness got the better of him only two and a half hours from the summit.

Left to complete the journey alone with the guides, Ese described her swings of emotion from despair to elation as the painful climb continued. Even acclimatisation day was too uncomfortable to enjoy. Getting up at night to climb with one step seeming like one hour's work when she felt so weak, tired and cold, despite the 11 layers on top, 3 on the bottom and 2 hats, was really tough. Because it was so cold she wanted to move fast but there was no oxygen so it was like sucking in air through a straw. No wonder Ese fell to her knees and wept. The guides must have seen it all before, and their encouragement, together with seeing other climbers from all over the world returning, telling her she was nearly there, lifted her spirits. And then - what breath-taking views, so beautiful! Uhuru Peak means freedom and Ese felt free. It took two days to return, spirits high, knowing she'd achieved her goal. It would have been important to do the climb for herself, Ese told us, but she wanted to raise money for Cancer Research, in memory of her uncle who lost his life to cancer last spring.

Ese has raised over £1000 so far; it is not too late to give if you wish.

Visit: http://donateinmemory.cancerresearchuk.org//0000784

Click here for photos

19 January 2011