A LOCAL woman climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania this summer, raising almost £3,000 for Childreach International.

Emma Wright from West Alvington studied at Kingsbridge Community College, and organised a cream tea at home in August to raise money for the trip.

She reached the top of Africa, 5,895 metres above sea level on Tuesday, August 23, describing the day as the ‘toughest but best day of my life.’

The challenge was done in aid of Childreach International - a charity that helps children all around the world.

Emma was part of a group of 35 people from three universities, St George’s, London - where Emma studies, Northumbria and Leicester.

By the time they set off, the group had raised more than £95,000 together.

Childreach International works in Tanzania, and the group visited a school for deaf children funded by Childreach.

‘It is the only school of its kind in Tanzania,’ Emma explained.

‘It was great to see how the money we raised was going to help. At the school they learnt carpentry and tailoring, as well as the usual subjects to help them find work after leaving school. While we were there, the students showed us around the school and showed off some of their skills they had learnt and the carpentry or tailoring projects they had completed. We also learnt limited sign language and obviously had a traditional game of football in which they thrashed us.’

They started the climb on Friday, August 19, beginning at Machame gate. They walked for five days, through rainforest and moorland before beginning to climb the mountain.

Emma explained her ‘summit day’ experience: ‘We were up at 2am after limited sleep to walk through the rest of the night to the summit. At 6.30am we saw the most spectacular sun rise we had ever seen, making the whole of the world look golden. Although the magic didn’t last long as we were all tired and still had a lot further to climb.

‘Due to many in the group suffering altitude sickness it took us a lot longer than expected and the group ended up splitting up. After an exhausting morning we finally reached Uhuru peak at 1.20pm and could look out at breath-taking views with glaciers to our left and the crater to our right.’

Emma continued: ‘Coming down we were almost flying with more and more oxygen with each step, and gravity taking us most of the way. It only took a day a day to descend the mountain.’

‘I think I am going to have a small break before I plan my next adventure,’ Emma added.

If people want to donate more to Childreach International, Emma’s fundraising page is still open at mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/emmawright2.