A young Portarlington dad has raised thousands of euro by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for cancer support.
Ciarán Kiely, 32 from Gracefield, had climbed “almost every mountain in Ireland” to train for his epic attempt at what is the highest freestanding mountain in the world.
He set up a GoFundMe page where he has raised €1,816 so far.
Ciarán, who is dad to Darragh, aged 4, was part of a group of 15 from Earth’s Edge, along with a guide and a doctor.
The terrain went from 35 degrees in jungle rainforest, up past bare volcanic rock, to snow and glaciers.
They climbed six hours a day for seven days, with the final day being 15 hours up to the summit, resting for about half an hour, then and back down to camp.
Ciarán, who works in a building company in Kildare, headed off last Saturday February 3.
Ciarán’s fundraising account is called Ciarán Kilimanjaro Trek, in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.
He chose it at the request of his mother, a cancer survivor who found great support through the charity.
He said: “I’m taking on the Climb of Kilimanjaro in February 2018 for the Irish cancer society as i’m inspired by the work they do and want to support them by raising money.
“Please help me help them by giving whatever you can using the ‘Give Now’ button.
“Also if you can spread the word by sharing my page with your friends and family. Thank you in advance for your generosity, it means a lot”
Anyone wishing to donate to Ciarán can do so here.
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