Scaling peak in memory of grandad

AN intrepid Ipswich man is set to scale Africa's tallest peak for charity.

Lewis Brown-Sawyer hopes to match Mount Kilimanjaro's daunting bulk with a mountain of money raised for MacMillan Cancer Support.

His adventure begins on January 14 next year when, along with 40 colleagues from Capita Insurance Services, he flies to Tanzania to begin the gruelling eight-day climb.

“I feel nervous to say the least,” the 23-year-old admitted, adding that he has never done anything like this before. “But what I have to do is nothing compared to what people with cancer go through during their lifetime.

“If they can meet their challenges, then I can manage this,” he added.

At 5,891 metres, Kilimanjaro marks the highest point on the African continent and is the loftiest freestanding mountain in the world. High altitudes and extreme temperatures make its ascent tricky and hazardous.

To meet the challenge, Lewis, who numbers as East Anglia's only representative in the group of climbers, is undergoing a rigorous six-month training scheme.

Along with playing Sunday League football for Real Orford, he visits the local gym six days a week, swimming, running and walking.

Along with wishing to overcome the physical and mental challenge Kilimanjaro poses, Lewis was inspired to participate thanks to the care MacMillan gave his granddad, Richard Foley, whom he lost to cancer eight years ago.

“You always hear people saying they know someone who has cancer,” he said. “And I'm doing it for other people on my granddad's behalf.”

MacMillan offers medical, emotional and financial support to cancer sufferers, and relies on voluntary donations. Lewis hopes to help their vital work by raising at least �5000 through raffles, discos, and collections. Together, he and his colleagues hope to raise over �200,000.

But as he prepares to face the towering challenge there is one sacrifice Lewis is struggling to make: “no more going out and eating kebabs on a Saturday night!”