A young woman from Peasedown St John has completed a climb to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro for Childreach International, a charity that works with some of the poorest children in the world.
The aim of the organisation is to help children gain access to healthcare, education, rights and protection.
Before she left for the challenge in Tanzania, Africa, Charlotte Owen managed to raise £2,500 for the charity through fundraising and sponsorship events in her hometown and support from a wide range of people.
Charlotte said: “It was the toughest but most rewarding experience of my life! So many memories I will keep forever and made some amazing friends.
“I’ll never forget the feeling from visiting the school and seeing the impact the money has made on the children. Amazing! Thank you to everyone – what an amazing experience.”
Before completing the challenge, Charlotte and other volunteers visited a school during lunchtime to serve lunch and get to meet some of the children that the money raised will benefit.
She’s been supported by Peasedown Councillor Nathan Hartley who over the last year who has helped promote her fundraising.
He said: “Congratulations to Charlotte for all of her efforts and hard work. She has done us proud in Peasedown and is an inspiration to us all.
“Her Dad, Darren, was sending me regular updates about her progress. What is most inspiring is that she completed the challenge with altitude sickness and a sprained ankle. If we truly believe in ourselves and our ability to succeed then anything is possible.”
Charlotte was so drained at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro that she fainted.
The twenty-year-old would like to thank the following for helping her raise her £2,500:
- Cllr Nathan Hartley
- Peasedown Cricket Club for their Race Night
- The Waggon and Horses Inn for their Fun Day
- Edward Jelly fingers for live band performance
- Young’s Roofing Ltd
- Neil Hopkins
- All friends, family and other contributors and supporters
- Junction 21 in Frome.
- Mark Coen in Bath of Mess and Glyn Seviour of Compare for their fun day and singer.
Charlotte’s Dad, Darren added: “Most of all, we’d like to thank the people of Peasedown St John for their help and enthusiasm with raising the money Charlotte needed.”
For more information about Childreach International visit www.childreach.org.uk
