Derbyshire dad takes on challenge of a lifetime to raise £5,000 for children's hospice

Determined engineer Ian Clemson climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and raised more than £5,000 for Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People.

At 19,341 feet (5,895m), it is the highest peak in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

Three years ago, following a health scare which saw him in hospital, Ian, who also recently became a grandfather, decided to take on the challenge.

Ian said: “I’ve always been a bit of an adrenaline junkie and when my sons were younger we talked about a dad and son trip to climb Kilimanjaro when they turned 18.

“Unfortunately, that didn’t happen but my desire to climb the mountain has always remained.

“While lying in the hospital bed, following a health scare, I decided that when I was back fit and healthy I would take on the challenge.

"That was almost three years ago and following extensive research, I’ve recently completed what I can only describe as an amazing experience.”

Using the contacts he has built up during his 28-years working for Toyota, Ian was able to raise more than double his initial fundraising target for Rainbows, with the money helping to support children and young people living with a life-limiting condition across Derbyshire.

He said: “My wife and I consider ourselves extremely lucky to have five healthy, grown-up children, so I wanted to give something back – and it seemed only fitting to help support a charity that does so much for local children and their families.”

Ian said his experience was “incredible”.

He said: “I used a company in Tanzania who specialise in small group treks up the mountain, although when I got there it ended up being just me, with my porters and guide, David.

“Despite initial hesitations about missing out in being in a group, it turned out this was for the best. I could walk at my own pace and trekking up to 12 hours a day meant I got to know David really well. We remain in contact and I’d say he’s a friend for life now.”