A BROMSGROVE woman is set to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the Birmingham Children’s Hospital Charity.
Kirsty Underhill, from Stoke Prior, hopes to raise £5,000 for the cause to thank the hospital for the treatment given to her friend, Vicki Steele’s son, three-year-old Ben.
Kirsty will attempt to summit Africa’s highest mountain, in Tanzania, alongside 30 others from across Birmingham.
The devoted friend is ready for the test of ‘resilience against the harsh elements, high altitudes and rugged terrain’.
She said: “This awe-inspiring feat is not merely about conquering a mountain but also about making a meaningful impact.
“By raising thousands of pounds, we will be contributing to the well-being of young lives, turning the trek into a powerful fundraising initiative.
“The funds garnered from this adventurous pursuit will provide vital support.
“Each step taken becomes a symbol of personal triumph, as we push beyond our limits to reach the summit, standing tall at 19,341 feet.”
This feat is Kirsty’s second fundraising effort in honour of Ben and Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
In April last year, the Standard reported on Kirsty’s previous fundraiser which saw her complete the Manchester Marathon and raise over £3,800 for the same cause.
Kirsty hopes her summit will contribute to the team’s target of raising more than £200,000 for the 100,000 sick kids the hospital treats each year. So far, Kirsty has raised £1,700.
She added: “One of those kids is Ben – he is such a brave, strong and funny little boy. It has been a privilege to watch him defy the odds and grow into his happy and adventurous self.”
Ben was born with CCTGA – a rare and complex form of congenital heart disease and has undergone various procedures at BCH since birth to improve his condition.
Hours after being born Ben had a temporary pacemaker fitted and later developed fluid around his heart, needing an emergency procedure to drain it.
At three weeks old he was fitted with a permanent pacemaker and later underwent a risky and complex 10-hour ‘double switch’ operation.
Doctors said his recovery was one of the quickest they had seen and, thanks to the treatment, Ben now has a brighter future ahead.
Visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/kirsty-underhill-kilimanjaro2025 to donate.
