Solicitor hits Mount Kilimanjaro summit for Essex respite charity

A SOLICITOR swapped his desk for the dizzy heights of Mount Kilamanjaro to raise cash for charity which looks after the families of people with learning disabilities.

Mark Carter raised over �3000 for Rescu – and achieved a lifetime ambition of scaling Africa’s highest mountain.

Starting out at 5500ft, he and a troop of lik-eminded adventurers climbed an average of 2500ft a day over seven hours to reach the near-20,000 ft summit.

“It was a truly fantastic experience,” said Mr Carter, who works for Bishop’s Stortford-based solicitors Stanley Tee LLP .

“The climb took six days and five nights camping. The last two nights temperatures dropped below freezing.”

Mr Carter’s �3000 raised has been given to Rescu, a charity which helps families in the area who have to care for family members with learning disabilities.

The charity is currently in the process of raising �1m for a new centre in Thaxted which, when completed, will give the opportunity for people with learning disabilities to stay in a residential environment away from home for short periods of time. This will offer them the chance to develop independence and allow their families and carers to have a break themselves.

Mr Carter added: “Rescu is a very deserving charity and I would like to thank everyone who generously sponsored and supported me.”

If you would like to support Rescu with a fundraising activity of your own contact Debbie Stephen on 07775 648003 or to make a donation visit thebiggive.org.uk/pledge/rescu

Rescu hope to raise �10,000 by the end of October to enable them to double your donations.