IT has taken nearly 10 years of planning and saving but an intrepid fundraiser is finally ready to take on the challenge of a lifetime.
Amy Dickson plans to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro to help raise funds for children, young people and families across Scotland.
The 24-year-old, an Assistant Project Worker for Includem, will climb more than 36 miles – around 19,000ft in elevation – of the African mountain to raise funds for Includem’s Young Person’s Fund.
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And Amy, who will make the trek with her cousin, has been saving up since the age of 15.
She said: "Getting to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro has been on my bucket list for a long time and I’ve been saving up for this since I was 15 years old.
"Climbing and walking is something we’ve always done as a family, especially with my mum.
"She climbed Machu Picchu recently and that has motivated me to accomplish this.
"Alongside my cousin, I hopefully will be able to say I’ve climbed the tallest mountain in Africa.”
The trek is the equivalent of climbing Ben Nevis five times - but with added altitude sickness.
Amy, from Shawlands, is confident she can reach the top.
She added: “I love walking and climbing Munros, but this is a bit different.
"It’s a nine-day trek and we’ll be going via the Lemosho Route.
"It’ll be like climbing Ben Nevis nearly five times which is a crazy thought.
"As I’ve been planning and preparing, I’m informed the last day can be considered the worst in your life.
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"It’s eight hours of trekking, partly through the night, and it’s the point when altitude sickness can really take its toll.
"However, it’s a challenge and one I’m excited about accomplishing.”
The fund is used by Includem to provide extra support to children, young people and families across Scotland, many of whom are affected by poverty.
A Just Giving page has been created by Amy to help raise funds.
See: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/amy-dickson-kilimanjaro
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