Two mums from Cumbria would raise nearly £8000 for a local charity after climbing Mount Kilimanjaro earlier this month.

On Saturday, October 7, Lesley Ritchie and Helen Trivengadum succeeded in a life-changing challenge of climbing Africa’s highest mountain, to raise much-needed funds for a local charity, The Windmill Trust.

The duo chose to tackle the Machame Route, which is a seven-day, 37-mile route.

After setting off on September 30, they completed the walk on October 7, and have raised £7712 on their JustGiving page, smashing their original target of £5000.

Lesley said: "The Windmill Trust is not a big, all singing, all dancing charity. In fact, it is small and new, but already making a huge difference to children's lives in West Cumbria. The aim is to grow into a county-wide service so that far more children who have been through trauma or adverse childhood experiences can be helped by their creative therapy service."

The two working mums are committed to supporting children’s mental health. Lesley is a creative arts psychotherapist and Helen is an advanced clinical practitioner.

They both have a proven record of starting and finishing projects - they are highly motivated and determined, extremely resilient, and have an abundance of tenacity.

Phillippa Chapman, manager of The Windmill Trust said: "The response to the fundraiser has been incredible and we’re so thankful to Lesley, Helen and everyone who has supported the charity by donating." 

The Windmill Trust recognises that children’s mental health and well-being have never been more important. The number of children currently affected by chronic anxiety and depression is concerning and the Children’s Society Good Childhood Report, 2022, shows that children’s happiness continues to decline with five children in a classroom of 30 now likely to have a mental health problem. 

All of these donations will go towards providing group play and art therapy work to take place with young people affected by anxiety and low self-esteem, and a year's worth of drama therapy to help overcome the effects of trauma for an individual with complex emotional difficulties.

You can donate to their JustGiving page here.