A GROUP of friends from Andover are planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for a diabetes charity.

Mathew and Jodie Trapnell are planning to climb the mountain next year with their friends Cllr Tracey Tasker and her husband Dave.

The group will start their challenge on November 3, 2023, and will aim to reach the summit in 10 days in a bid to raise money for the diabetes charity Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF).

Mathew explained: “About five years ago my son was diagnosed with Type 1 (diabetes); he’s eight now, and it was just before his third birthday.

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“And I’m turning 50 next year, along with Dave, and we both wanted a challenge, something we could get our teeth into, raise a bit of money for charity and do something that’s going to be memorable for your 50th.”

The group are hoping to raise a total of £20,000 for the charity.

Mathew said if the group could raise or exceed the total it would be a “fantastic achievement".

He continued: “I think every charity’s been hit with the Covid situation, and obviously it’s quite personal to us because the charity does a lot of research into children with type 1 specifically.

“From a personal perspective, it would be a massive sense of achievement.

“I know I’m doing it with my best mate, my wife, his wife, and achieving that or exceeding that is the motivation that you need to keep going when it’s pretty tough getting up that mount.”

The group has set up a JustGiving page so people can donate and will also hold a variety of events between now and their attempt to try and reach their goal.

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Mathew said: “We’ve already got a sort of evening planned where people can get tickets and get a table and have a sit-down meal and a disco and there will be raffle draw and things like that.

“We’ll also be doing various different golf days; I’m planning to organise a sort of five-a-side tournament for different age groups that will hopefully generate income.”

Businesses will also be able to sponsor the group to have their names written on t-shirts and a banner that the group will wear and display when they reach the summit.

You can donate to the fundraiser by visiting justgiving.com/fundraising/team5050.