Youngest Brit summits Kilimanjaro with glamour mum for charity

Sept. 13, 2011 - PRLog -- Joseph Ayoub, still only aged 12 became the youngest Brit to successfully climb Kilimanjaro last week while his mum became the most glamorous summiteer this year. Mum and son summited after climbing for 7 days up Kilimanjaro’s demanding Machame route. While Joseph celebrated by promoting the charity website he had built himself, his mum, who runs her own designer sportswear business felt the need to cool off, get a little sun and touch up that lippy!
The family arrived back safely last week and only then found out that Joseph’s ascent was even more special than he thought.  Joseph commented “I can’t wait to tell people when I get back to school. It was really exhausting, particularly the summit night. I felt a little bit sick because of the altitude so I couldn’t even face the smell of food and we were very, very tired. I’m very pleased though.”
Joseph undertook the challenge for charity and was accompanied on the 19,340 ft ascent by his mum Sara, his brothers 23-year-old Alexander and 21-year-old Oliver and his sister Charlotte, aged 22. Together they raised over £3000 for The Chain of Hope charity, which gives children, who suffer from life-threatening heart disease, access to corrective surgery and treatment.
Jane Deakin, Managing Director of Private Kilimanjaro commented: “The minimum age at which you are allowed to climb Kilimanjaro is 12 and we are very careful taking young children to altitude. Michael was exceptionally fit though and we arranged a private climb for the family which allowed them to take their time and go at their own pace.”
Mrs Hanna, aged 53, said: “I’m very proud of Joseph and all of them. It takes real guts to get to the top and it’s mentally difficult too. We would never have made it though without Private Kilimanjaro’s guides, August, Sebbie and Livingstone - they were the MOST amazing team I have ever come across and had it not been for the three of them we would never have made it.”
Emma Scanlan, Executive Director from Chain of Hope commented “Not only are you saving lives, but it’s fantastic that you setting records as well with Joseph being the youngest Brit to climb Kilimanjaro!  Absolutely amazing effort by you all and thank you on behalf of all the Chain of hope children and to everyone who has supported you”.

# # #

Private Kilimanjaro specialises in arranging private tailor-made and charity climbs up Mt Kilimanjaro together with other treks, safaris and beach breaks.