AN EX pupil from The John of Gaunt School in Trowbridge is taking on the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Currently in her first year at the University of Birmingham, Eloise Sutton, is fundraising £3000 to climb Kilimanjaro in September 2020. She has undertaken this in aid of the Meningitis Research Foundation.

Eloise said: “I would be lying if I said I was doing this for the stunning views over the plains of Tanzania, but it truly is the cause that makes this trip so fantastic.

“Meningitis and septicaemia pose an imminent threat to people all over the world, affecting 5 million people annually. Meningitis causes more deaths of children under the age of five than malaria, measles, tetanus and AIDs combined.

“So far, I have raised just over £500 selling raffle tickets, running cake stalls, and bucket collecting.”

“Incredibly, just £13 gives 1000 new mums access to lifesaving information and £20 can alert 1000 students to the importance of the meningitis vaccine.

“I travel to Tanzania on August 31 for a week-long trek up the mountain. I’m so grateful to have this opportunity to raise awareness for Meningitis, especially considering students are the second most at risk group of contracting the disease, behind new-borns.”

If you would like to help visit: @Ellie Does Kili