Former Ferrers student has high hopes for Kilimanjaro challenge

A former Ferrers School student has set herself the challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro for charity.

Maddie Chambers went to The Ferrers School before going to study mental health nursing at the University of Birmingham.

While being in her final year at uni, she has decided to take on the challenge of climbing Mt Kilimanjaro and is hoping to raise £2,500 for Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF).

Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free-standing mountain in the world, with its summit of 5,895 metres (19,341 ft) above sea level.

Writing on her Justgiving page, Maddie, 21, said: "One in 10 people in general population carry the bacteria, but among students this can be as high as nine out of 10.

"Unlike many other vaccine-preventable diseases meningitis does not yet have a government backed global plan to eradicate it.

"This is why MRF have created their action plan to defeat meningitis by 2030, and I am so excited to be a part of this effort.

"The money me and my team raise goes straight towards their three main objectives."

The charity's objectives are to eliminate meningitis epidemics, reduce cases and deaths from vaccine-preventable meningitis, and reduce disability and maximise quality of life for people affected by meningitis.

Maddie, who has family in Higham Ferrers and Rushden, has already raised £815 but has set herself the target of raising £2,100 with the climb this summer.

And she added: "MRF is an amazing charity who aim to secure a global commitment and eliminate meningitis with vaccines by 2030.

"As it affects mainly young people and students I felt a real connection to the charity."

Anyone who wants to sponsor Maddie can go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/maddie-chambers1