Climbing 5,680 metres for Motor Neurone Disease Association

Raising £36,900 in support of their Kilimanjaro climb and to raise awareness and funds for Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) is the task ahead for 10 people from Frome and the surrounding area.

For Frome Collegians coach, Ade Marchment, this commemorates the 50th anniversary of his father’s successful climb to the top of Kilimanjaro. Gerry Marchment, who now lives in Worcester, was stationed in Kenya with the REME and embarked upon two successful treks to the summit of Kilimanjaro in March and September 1963. Along with Ade will be his sister, Sharon, and daughter Zoe as well as Adrian Paddy Mead, Malcolm Pagett, Lee Stone, Michael Harding, Jordan Lawrence, Damian Parker and Jason Lusty.

MNDA has been chosen as the nominated charity for this climb in support of Alistair Banks of Beckington who has MND and is the parent of a Frome Collegians U9 team player. Alistair recently carried the Olympic Torch in Glastonbury and you can follow this inspirational man’s story on Twitter, Alistair @altheoptimist. The team launched their fundraising campaign at Frome Cricket Club with a balloon launch, penalty shoot out competition and barbecue. They would like to thank Sainsbury’s for donating all the rolls for the barbecue. The next fundraising event is a quiz night on Friday 28th September to be held at Frome Rugby Club. If you would like to support this venture, the team are grateful for any donations to their fundraising and these can be made on www.justgiving.com/June2013-KilimanjaroforMNDA

Pictured: Adrian Paddy Mead, Lee Stone, Jason Lusty, Zoe Marchment, Jordan Lawrence, Malcolm Pagett, Michael Harding with Alistair Banks and his son Finn proudly displaying a banner announcing the climb Below: Gerry Marchment’s climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro in 1963