The December air in Tanzania will soon carry the bite of cold, far different from the warmth of the savannah below. It is two months out from my next climb, and the weight of anticipation settled on the shoulders of someone who had already stood on the slopes of Kilimanjaro before. This time, though, it will be different—different not just because of the season or the group of climbers, but because of the story that had unfolded in the months leading up to it.
The first journey up Kilimanjaro had taken place in August 2023. Back then, the path had been lined with uncertainty, not just about the climb, but about the companions—4 seventeen year olds who were strangers at first, bound only by the adventure ahead. Yet, by the end of the trek, we were all friends, each step drawing us closer together, our camaraderie forged in the thin air and the long, difficult days on the mountain.
But that was just one chapter in my story. By November 2022, a battle far more personal had come to a significant point—immunotherapy had ended, but the fight was far from over. Hospital visits became a part of life, scans and treatments reminders that some mountains aren’t made of rock or snow but time and resilience.
Shortly after, in a bold act of courage and defiance, the wingwalk happened—soaring high above Cirencester, the wind rushing past, the earth below falling away, marking another milestone of idiotic bravery. And then, without hesitation, it was onto Kilimanjaro, where the summit awaited.
What followed was a mission, one not rooted in the peaks of distant lands but in the hearts of everyday people. UV radiation had become a menace, a silent danger, and it was time to raise awareness. Television cameras turned their lenses toward the cause, radios broadcasted the message, and newspapers shared the words—local and national platforms joined in the campaign. The aim was clear: to rally support for skin cancer in the UK and farther and to fight against a disease that stole too much, too soon.
Along the way, there were remarkable encounters—people whose stories were as inspiring as they were heartbreaking. Conversations that lingered long after they were over, reminding that the fight was shared by many.
And now, another journey to Kilimanjaro loomed—this time in December 2024, aligning with Tanzania’s Independence Day, December 9th. If all went well, standing atop Uhuru Peak would be a fitting tribute to both the endurance of a country and a personal journey. Snow in Africa was rare, but on the top of Kilimanjaro, it might just be a white Christmas after all.
The following video has been pieced together to capture the spirit of the last 15 months—an effort to show the world what had been done and what still remained to be tackled. Skin cancer is a beast that needs taming, but progress is being made, even if the road ahead is still too long.
With each climb, each conversation, and each story shared, there is hope that a small difference will be made. As December draws nearer, one simple message remains: this isn’t just a journey up a mountain, but a mission to change the world, one step at a time.
The website, the blog, the updates—those were the invitations to join the fight. And perhaps, when Kilimanjaro looms again in the distance, this journey will inspire more to stand at the peak, not just of a mountain, but of awareness and action.
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