Chaeli Mycroft (20), an ability activist, wheelchair user, student and co-founder of The Chaeli Campaign in Cape Town – Photo from Chaeli Mycroft campaign
On 27 August 2015, Chaeli Mycroft (20), an ability activist, wheelchair user, student and co-founder of The Chaeli Campaign in Cape Town, will start her journey to become the first female quadriplegic to summit Mount Kilimanjaro.
Mycroft will be joined by a team of seven climbers who will help her to Kilimanjaro’s summit. The aim of the climb is to raise funds in support of The Chaeli Campaign’s Inclusive Education Programme and The Chaeli Cottage Inclusive Preschool and Enrichment Centre.
The Chaeli Campaign (http://chaelicampaign.co.za/) promotes and provides mobility and educational needs for disabled children under the age of eighteen years, throughout South Africa.
The highest free-standing mountain in the world
A social science student at the University of Cape Town, Mycroft will attempt to climb the highest free-standing mountain in the world in seven days. If all goes well, the team will summit Kilimanjaro on 3 September 2015.
Mycroft and the climbers’ preparation for the climb was done under the guidance of Carel Verhoef, an East African travel expert at Discover Africa, a Cape Town-based Africa travel agency.
Verhoef is no stranger to summiting Kilimanjaro, having climbed the mountain once a year for the past nine years.
Verhoef and Mycroft will be joined by Adam Schäfer, Taylor Jackson, Sally Grierson, Thembi Chagonda, Anne Henschel and Johanna Gallego.
Messages of support
“You go Chaeli. Another horizon, another peak to reach.” – Helen Zille, Premier of the Western Cape.
“Chaeli’s ambitious goal of becoming the first female quadriplegic to summit Kilimanjaro is yet another example of how this remarkable young woman has chosen to live a full life, despite her disabilities.” – FW De Klerk, former president of South Africa.
“I’m really deeply impressed and amazed with the expedition you’re going on with your team. As an ability activist, you show that no mountain is too high.” – Marc Dullaert, founder of KidsRights Foundation.
“Chaeli, you’re an absolute inspiration. You’re always doing amazing things. Best of luck for your trip. You are awesome.” – Rob van Vuuren, South African comedian.
“You guys rock. Chaeli, you truly are an inspiration!” – Vanessa Haywood Sandes, South African actress.
Follow Chaeli and the climbers’ progress on Kilimanjaro in real-time
Discover Africa has created a website where users can follow Chaeli’s journey to the summit of Kilimanjaro and subscribe to live updates, as the action happens. The website include:
– A video fly-through of the climber’s route
– An interactive Google map which plots the climbers’ planned route up the mountain, together with photos, video and messages
– A profile on each climber, including their role in the team
– A timeline of how Chaeli and the team prepared for the climb
– Information on how you can make a donation to the Chaeli Campaign
Visit the DREAMWORK through TEAMWORK website here: http://www.discoverafrica.com/teamwork/
The Chaeli Campaign
http://chaelicampaign.co.za/
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