SPCA Kilimanjaro Challenge raises R400 000 for Sandton SPCA

A group of brave climbers who embarked on a climb up Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the Sandton SPCA have managed to raise over R400 000.

This year 24 climbers, both from South Africa and abroad, embarked on the trip from 20 July to 28 July.

Stephanie Brown, the organizer of the SPCA Kilimanjaro Challenge, first climbed Kilimanjaro for the Sandton SPCA in 2012. This is the fourth climb that Brown has organised to raise funds for the Sandton SPCA and she is certain that it will not be the last.

“I’m already recruiting the team for next year’s climb. I love doing it for the Sandton SPCA but it’s also just an incredible mountain,” said Brown.

Despite reaching the summit previously Brown said that nothing quite prepares you for how challenging the final climb is. To reach the peak, the group left their camp at Kibo at 1am in the morning and reached Uhuru (the peak) at about 10am.

“It’s cold and the air is thin but the sunrise is stunning, you can see the sun come up over Africa and it’s glorious.”

The group this year included many youngsters, the youngest being 12, and Brown it’s incredible to see what they are able to accomplish. She highlighted that being physically fit is only one aspect of the climb as one needs to be strong enough mentally to keep going. “I just keep thinking about putting one foot in front of the other, you just have to keep going.”

Brown said that all the people who took part in the climb are animal lovers and climbing for a cause close to their hearts is what inspired them to keep going. “Everyone can do something, there are so many challenges in South Africa but there is also a lot of opportunities to help your two-legged and four-legged friends.”

To celebrate the end of a successful climb the team enjoyed an awards ceremony where each person received a certificate to commemorate their accomplishment. This year the top award, the Spirit of Kilimanjaro, went to Michael Dopheide from Germany who managed to raise R50 000.

“One of the things I’ve learned from the Sandton SPCA is that you don’t know what you’re capable of to help an organisation be sustainable and reach its purpose,” said Brown.

Brown hopes to raise R1 million in the next SPCA Kilimanjaro Challenge. Those who would like to get involved can email kilimanjaro@sandtonspca.org.za or go to www.spcakilichallenge.com.

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https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/183869/climb-for-a-cause/