Shoreham student reaches Africa's highest peak
Adur East Lions helped support a local student to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
Shoreham student Matthew Kemp has reached Africa's highest peak and helped raise thousands of pounds for a children's charity.
Twenty year old Matthew, from Adur Avenue, Shoreham was part sponsored by the Adur East Lions on a charity climb to the top of Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak.
At 5,895 metres (19,340 feet) Kilimanjaro is also the highest freestanding mountain in the world.
Matthew, a former Kings Manor and St.Nicolas school pupil took part in the climb to raise money for the charity Childreach International.
To get to the summit he had to face many hazards including the mosquitoes that are believed to have given celebrity Cheryl Cole malaria on a recent visit to Tanzania.
"On the first night on the mountain I was covered in bites from mosquitoes even though we did use nets," said Matthew. "Hearing about Cheryl I am glad I remembered to take my malaria tablets.
"At the time the mosquitoes seemed a small problem compared with how ill I felt when I suffered altitude sickness as we neared the summit. It was so cold up in the snow line I thought I had frostbite on the tips of my fingers ."
Childreach is a global youth development charity which works to alleviate poverty and bring education, safe water and healthcare to the world's poorest and most vulnerable children. Before making the ascent Matt visited one of the villages in Tanzania where Childreach is working with local children.
Matt made the trip with a party from Bath University where he is studying for a Maths degree .
"It was very gratifying to see the work being carried out to help the children in the village by Childreach, "said Matt. "I was very impressed at the progress the charity is making in Tanzania.
"I would like to say a very big thank you to the Lions and to many other people in Sussex who sponsored me on the trip. Their money will make a big difference to many young lives in Africa."
