Day 9: Back At The Hotel

By Bethany Ansell

Earlier today the climbers arrived back at the hotel in Moshi and have since been presented with their certificates. As you'd expect, we were inundated with updates from them as they re-entered the world of wi-fi. Here's what they had to say:

Carole: Conquered that mountain!! Probably THE hardest thing i have ever done!! Looking forward to a few days rest, then home to my lovely family! Thank you all for your love, support, sponsorship and belief xxxx

Ally: What an amazing adventure. Sad it's over but it was immense not sure it's sunk in thank you for your donations and support.

Tommy Lillington at the summit

Tommy: Ok so back in the land of the living and a phone signal!! I have to say that was the hardest thing both physically and mentally I have ever ever done!! Four days in all was going well until altitude sickness got me big time so on day five did a five hour walk to base camp throwing up at least a dozen times then followed by the 6 hour summit walk through the night feeling like I had nothing left before I even started!! That night was the hardest night of my life had to dig deeper than ever, but hey we got there in the end. The whole team were amazing we laughed and we cried boy did we cry sooo emotional but we did it - what an amazing team - thanks for the lovely messages guys : -) xxx

Barney: So.... It turns out I can climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro after all!!! What an amazing week with amazing people. One that I will never forget!! Thank you to all that have supported my trek but most importantly the climbers that I have shared some amazing and very emotional experiences with!! Without their support and friendship, the climb would not have been possible!

Jaime and Lee Burton at the summit

Lee: Back in the hotel, drained!! But taking a lot away with me. We have all learnt a lot about ourselves, the team and we can all learn a lot from the mountain and those who work on her. Deep respect. Being ill on the first day of the climb was painful but with the help of the team I got through it!! Every team member had highs and lows and helped someone in some way!

Jaime: Back at the hotel! Wow that was the toughest most emotional thing I've ever done! But we did it! I couldn't have done it without Lee Burton! One step forward 2 steps back, and he stopped me falling over! I had a little nap on the way up in -10 so you can imagine how exhausted we all were! We have just had our certificates presented by private expeditions and all now heading for the showers. Such an emotional journey and I had to really dig deep to get to the top! Start flight home tomorrow and be back Tuesday morning. Laters! Xxx

Donna: Well I didn't make it to summit along with my fellow climbers, but I did make it to base camp! I'm now back at the hotel and about to hit the shower, as I well and truly smell quite badly. There has been an awful lot of tears ( mainly mine) but there has been a shed load of laughter, and if I hear anyone say that I've just come back off of holiday, I will personally shove their nose into my walking boots!! Lol can't wait to see my family and my buddies, luv u all xxx

Jack and Tom enjoying a well deserved rest back at the hotel

Tom: That's that then: I've climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. Almost to soon to say how it feels (unbelievably tough), glad to be back at the hotel now. Cheers for all the support, sponsorship and love, you're all wonderful. Big hats off to my teammates especially, couldn't have done it without you.

Ben: Probably one of the hardest things I have ever done in my whole life, I am completely ruined. But what a sense of achievement. Couldn't have asked for such a great bunch of climbing buddies. Time for a few Beers I reckon xx

Lee's revenge for the photo Tommy sent us at the start of their adventure of Lee sleeping. Bless.

Day 8: To The Summit of Kilimanjaro!

By Bethany Ansell

They did it!! They climbed all the way to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro at 5895m and here they are flying the Dorset flag looking suitably chuffed.

Huge congratulations are in order to The Lucky 13 for all they have achieved on behalf of The Steve Charles Help a Friend Fund.

Unfortunately our lovely Donna had to stay at Barafu Camp because she was hit with altitude sickness. When this happens, for health and safety reasons, climbers are advised to stay at a lower altitude.

We are gutted for you Donna but you still reached 4600m - which is near as dammit! The rest of the climbers rejoined Donna at Barafu Camp this morning for a rest and they are all now on their way to Mweka camp at 3100m for their last night on the mountain.

They will have a traditional Tanzanian meal for dinner tonight and a chance to say what I imagine will be an emotional goodbye to their guides from Private Expeditions, before heading back to the hotel tomorrow.

So they reached the top - all but one, who with altitude sickness was overcome (you can have that one Alistair Chisholm if you're reading this).

Please join me in congratulating all 13 of our climbers for such a tremendously epic effort!

http://www.justgiving.com/schaff

Day 2: Rest Day In Moshi

By Bethany Ansell

Our climbers arrived in Moshi yesterday and spent the night in Sal Salinero Hotel. Today they have been relaxing and preparing to start up the mountain tomorrow.

The photo above was taken by the guides at Private Expeditions, and you can follow their blog here. 

This morning, Lee Burton said: "Breakfast done, then climb brief kits check then hydration hydration hydration ready for tomorrow morning." Meanwhile Carole Landon said she was feeling 'momentarily relaxed.'

A Few Words From Al Murray:

After a nervous morning of last minute packing/panicking the time came to leave for Dorchester to meet with the team.

An anxious bus ride later and we all arrived at Heathrow. A swift check in then time came for some pre flight beers.

A long over night flight to Doha, with a very dodgy landing we had just enough time to connect to our next flight to Dar Es Salaam.

At which point we where flown on to Mount Kilimanjaro airport where we where met by a blast of heat and the exped team (Arsenal fans).

A short bumpy bus ride later we have arrived at the hotel! So basically, a very long flight got to catch a very long flight after which we caught a very short flight. After that a bus trip then dinner.

We had the climb brief this morning. Our bags are packed and we are ready to rock and roll! Looking forward to it.

To sponsor Al Murray, click here. In the meantime, here are a few more pictures from today...

Ben Wain doing a bit of mountain reading

The afternoon pre-climb coffee club (Ben Wain, Tim Emberley,
Al Murray, Jane Massey and Tommy Lillington)

The coffee club and Lambie 

Ben Wain and Tim Emberley in what they call 'the man pad'

If you would like to make a donation to The Steve Charles Help A Friend Fund, please click here.

Day 1: Arrival In Tanzania

By Bethany Ansell

After 3 long flights and a bumpy bus ride the climbers have arrived safely in Tanzania and checked into the Sal Salinero Hotel, Moshi. Apparently they could see the mountain on the way to the hotel and Ben Wain commented that 'it's very big'!!

Below are a few pictures we've been sent by Tommy Lillington from the flight. To donate, please click here.

Jane Massey and Ben Wain

Jack Daniels

Jaime and Lee Burton

Lee Burton (I'm sure he'll thank you for this one Tommy)

Tom Caulfield and Carole Landon

Tom Caulfield