Climbers volunteer to take on a mountain
Ben Phillips
A COUPLE from West Hampstead are preparing to trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for Volunteer Services Overseas (VSO).
Matt Farrington and Ali Disher from Loveridge Road are aiming to raise £3,400 by scaling the 5,895metre peak in Tanzania in January.
Mr Farrington, who works in The Gallery bar on Broadhurst Gardens, is refusing to dwell on the perils the trip could throw up, such as altitude sickness and exhaustion.
He said: "First we'll worry about raising the money we need, then we can turn our thoughts to the pitfalls.
"I'm sure I'll feel apprehensive when the day comes, but right now I just can't wait for the adventure to start."
The couple, originally from Australia, hope to get support from their adopted community in NW6.
They moved to the area two years ago.
Over the next eight months, they will hold raffles and barbecues to boost their fundraising efforts.
Ms Disher said: "On our website it says £3,400 is our target but ideally we'd like to get more than that.
"We are just trying to lay the groundwork at the moment, build some traffic to our fundraising site and in the coming months hopefully we will be holding events and securing corporate sponsorship to help us in our goals.
"I'm sure that once January starts creeping around the nerves will settle in."
The couple keep fit by running and going to the gym and will condition themselves with a series of walks in the Lake District in the coming months.
VSO is a non-political, non-religious body that organises volunteer placements for more than 1,500 skilled professionals in the world's poorest countries.
Volunteers perform roles from teaching and social work to marine biology and accounting.
Ms Disher added: "VSO is just a very worthwhile cause. At any one time, they could have more than 1,500 volunteers, who are all degree or similarly qualified, working in more than 30 of the world's poorest countries, imparting their expertise, knowledge, skills and techniques to the local people who need to know how to fight their way out of poverty.
"By creating sustainable communities, VSO hopes of course one day for a world free of poverty."
Anyone wanting to support the couple can donate on their fundraising website at www.just giving.com/mattandalikilitrek.
editorial@hamhigh.co.uk
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