Chris Kamara has led a 29-strong team to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in a bid to raise £500,000 for Charity.
The five day expedition was organised by The Football League to mark the end of their partnership with Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Led by the incomparable Kamara, ‘Team Kammy’ also included Swansea City Manager Brendan Rodgers, ex Watford and Coventry City boss Aidy Boothroyd, Middlesbrough Chairman Steve Gibson, Daily Mail columnist Des Kelly and BBC Sport’s Mark Clemmit and fans representing 17 clubs.
It is hoped that the five day trek up Africa’s highest mountain will raise £500,000, to provide 25,000 hours of free nursing care for people in their own homes across 72 Football League communities. So far the team has raised more than £150,000 with donations still being made.
For Rodgers the trip meant that he had little time to celebrate guiding the Swans into the Premier League for the first time, and while he may face a mountainous task next season to keep them there, few challenges can be harder than climbing the 19,341ft to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro.
“This has been one of the most stressed physical and mental experiences of my entire life,” said Rodgers.
“But it has been a wonderful team effort to get to the summit. 90 per cent of the group reached the summit, an amazing achievement when you consider that only 45 per cent of people who attempt it actually do it.”
“I’m overwhelmed and this is dedicated to my mum, dad and all my family, friends and Swans fans that have supported me,” added Rodgers.
Team-leader Kamara admitted that he was also only too pleased to offer The Football League and Marie Curie a helping hand once the challenge was laid before him;
“I am gobsmacked. This has been an absolutely unbelievable experience with great camaraderie all round,” said Kamara.
“There are a lot of people up this mountain for personal reasons. I did this for my mum, who was looked after by Marie Curie Nurses at home before she died and that was what kept me going when it got really tough.”
“I was not alone. Brendan did it for his mum and dad, Clem – his mum, Des – his mum, not to mention all the other stories from the rest of the group.”
“So standing on top of the mountain today was a real emotional moment for a lot of people.”
You can still sponsor all those taking part via their Just Giving pages listed below or by making a £1.50 donation to the charity by texting ‘Kammy’ to 70777. For full terms and conditions, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/smsterms
Chris Kamara – www.justgiving.com/Chris-Kamara
Brendan Rodgers – www.justgiving.com/Brendan-Rodgers
Aidy Boothroyd – www.justgiving.com/Aidy-Boothroyd
Steve Gibson – www.justgiving.com/Steve-Gibson
Mark Clemmit – www.justgiving.com/markclemmit
Des Kelly – www.justgiving.com/Des-Kelly
