Mino Returns Triumphantly

Mino Angelilli has returned triumphant from his expedition to the top of Africa's tallest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro, which peaks at 5,895 meters above sea level.

The Flight marketing executive successfully completed the six-day climb, raising £4,700 so far for the Anthony Nolan Trust, http://www.anthonynolan.org.uk which provides lifesaving donors for patients in need of a bone marrow transplant.

Mino, who trained for months to prepare, described it as the toughest mental and physical experience of his life.

He said: "Only seven out of 12 of us managed to complete the trek - it was the hardest thing I've ever done."

Night treks and drastic ranges in temperature – (it could change from minus 16 degrees to 25 degrees in a matter of hours) - pushed Mino to his psychological limit.

He said: "We faced very unstable weather, from hailstones, sleet, rain and gale-force winds. People were crying at points and some experienced extreme altitude sickness."

Mino drank seven litres of fluids each day to combat the dehydrating affects of humidity, and wore several layers of clothing towards the highest points of the trek.

He added: "It was worth it in the end. When I reached the top I felt an immense sense of satisfaction having finished a seemingly never-ending journey. It was magnificent." The experience was even more rewarding for Mino as he was the first of his group to reach the peak even ahead of the local guides. "I struggled a bit on the first two days and I decided to pace myself slower than the rest of the group, but on the last day, I really wanted to get on and make sure I did everything on my own, but safely."
Mino and friend almost there
Below are extracts from Mino's Kilimanjaro diary:
· Friday 16 March: Set off on a 16-hour journey from Heathrow to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania.

· Saturday 17 March: Arrive in Moshi town and sort out my kit for the next day. I have my last beer for a week.

· Sunday 18th March- Day 1 of the trek: Walk five hours. Drive from Moshi town to the gate of Machame and begin the trek through the forest. Camp at 3,100m.

· Day 2: Walk five hours continuing through forest then reach a steep ascent to Shira Plateau. Camp at Shira Caves, 3,840m. Watch an amazing sunset and see the fire come out the back of Mount Kilimanjaro - absolutely gorgeous.

· Day 3: Walk nine hours through high moorland at 4,800m. Landscape changes entire nature of the trek. Camp low at Barranco Hut, 3,900m. That night we see an awesome sky filled almost entirely with bright stars.

Entrance to Mount Kilimanjaro Park

Day 4: Walk 10 hours descending into a huge ravine. Long and tiring climb over rock. Pass glaciers heading towards Karanga Valley - our last stop before the summit at 4,600m.

· Day 5: Walk 14 hours in total - beginning with climb upwards to the summit glaciers at midnight. Experience the most beautiful sunset I've ever seen. Climb another four hours gaining incredible height over a short distance to the crater rim, Stella Point at 5,750m. Continue another hour to the summit Uhuru (which means' freedom' in Swahili) at 5,895m - the highest point - then begin descent to Mweka camp at 3,000m.

· Day 6: Walk four hours down gentle trek through the rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we receive our certificate. Drive back to Moshi Town. Have my first shower in seven days and a well-deserved beer.

· Day 7: Experience the beauty of Moshi Town then depart for London in the afternoon.

· Sunday 25th March: 7:00 arrived at London Heathrow Mino is £300 away from hitting his target of raising £5,000 for the Anthony Nolan Trust. Donations are still welcome at www.justgiving.com/Mino_on_the_move.

Mino Angelilli to challenge Kilimanjaro

Your internal organs swell by 25%, breathing is difficult and the temperature can fall from below -10ºC to below -20ºC. This is what Mino Angelilli faces as he treks to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in March this year as he attempts to raise at least £3,500.00 for the Anthony Nolan Trust.

"I have never even walked up a small staircase for more than a minute before," says Mino. "The last time I got any serious exercise was in PE lessons at school, and that was 12 years ago! Now every week I am committed to run at least 10 miles and to walk up hills.

The hard work will all be worthwhile for Mino if he succeeds in raising at least £3,500 for The Anthony Nolan Trust. “A key reason for me to do this is that leukemia has affected the lives of some very close friends of mine and their families; plus, I always wanted to trek some top peaks. So, when I saw the advert on the (Farnborough, Kent) Round Table’s Magazine, I just knew that I wanted to do this!”

You can sponsor Mino by visiting his online fundraising page on www.justgiving.com/Mino_on_the_move. You can pay by credit or debit card, and the money will go directly to The Anthony Nolan Trust. Where supporters are UK taxpayers, the charity will automatically receive 28% extra in Gift Aid, which makes Justgiving.com the most efficient way of sponsoring Mino.

Clavel Rowe Public Relations Ltd

Mino Returns Triumphantly

Mino Angelilli to challenge Kilimanjaro