BY JON COOMBES

On the September 2 myself and a group of 18 other university students set out from our hotel in Moshi Tanzania to climb Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest free standing mountain in the world, in aid of the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF).

Throughout the previous ten months we had raised a staggering £52,000 for MRF, a cause that is closely linked to students, as 18-24 year olds are the most at risk after infants of catching Meningitis.

The climb to the summit lasted for four days, hiking on average between eight to 12 hours a day through dense rainforest, bleak tundra and artic climate.

The final assent to the Uhuru peak was the hardest most gruelling physical challenge most of us had ever undertook.

Altitude sickness caused vomiting, dizziness and hallucinations, but it was all worth it to see the sun rise over Africa from the continents highest peak.

Temperatures were as low as zero degrees and hiking above 5000m above sea level proved a hard task.

The sense of triumph upon reaching the summit was indescribable.

It wasn't until we descended that the magnitude of what we achieved hit home.

It has been an honor to take part in such an amazing opportunity in aid of MRF.

MRF is a great charity that does brilliant work in raising awareness, supporting families and funding research to help fight meningitis.

I will never forget my time on Kilimanjaro, I would highly recommend the experience to anyone.