A TEENAGER spent a week of her summer holidays scaling Africa’s highest mountain to raise over £500 for charity.
Princethorpe College pupil Meg Jones took on Kilimanjaro’s 5,895 metres along with mum Sarah and a group of 14 friends to raise money for Mary’s Meals, which provides meals to children in some of the world’s poorest communities.
The 13-year-old from Temple Grafton prepared for the challenge by climbing Snowden twice on two consecutive days and embarking on regular ten mile hikes.
She said: “It was so much harder than I had expected. It wasn’t just that I was physically exhausted, it was the mental exertion too that took it out of me.
“All I wanted to do was sleep but we had to keep walking for nine hours on the last day. It was an exhilarating moment when the summit finally came into view. I really couldn’t believe that I had done it.”
Princethorpe College Assistant Head of Sixth Form Rod Isaacs, who has steered the College’s fund-raising for Mary’s Meals since 2008, said: “This was incredible news to hear that someone as young as Meg has achieved this magnificent venture. “The money raised will help Princethorpe to sustain its fundraising pledge to Mary’s Meals.
“A total of £46,909 has been donated since we first committed to the charity and it is because of pupils like Meg, who truly reflect the College’s ethos, that we are able to keep giving.”
