Kilimanjaro challenge for Newbury student

A 21-year-old student from Newbury has set herself the challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro to raise money for the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF).

Ploy Narongpun, pictured above, is hoping to raise £3,000 for the charity by completing a six day trek up – at 5,895m – the tallest free-standing mountain in the world.

The trek, run by Student Adventures, also takes in the snowcapped peak of Kibo, one of the most recognisable sights in the world and a challenge for those prepared to tackle the landscape and the altitude to reach the summit.

Miss Narongpun, who is now studying international business at the University of Kent, said: “I heard a story of someone who had suffered from this disease. A friend of my sponsor, The Clothes Shop, died from meningitis at the age of 14.

“Meningitis is not something new. People everywhere, whom you may or may not know, have been affected by it. I want to help raise awareness.

“Being part of this challenge is not just giving me a once in a lifetime experience, but I can also help towards saving the lives of millions of people.”

As part of her fundraising campaign, Ploy organised a charity fashion show at St Bartholomew’s School last month.

The events fundraising assistant at MRF, Tom DeFraine, said: “We are so grateful to Ploy who is raising money for MRF by climbing Kilimanjaro. Meningitis and septicaemia are diseases that can leave a baby, child or adult fighting for their life within hours of the first symptoms.

“As well as helping to raise much-needed funds for our work to fight meningitis, they have also helped raise awareness of this devastating disease.”

To sponsor Miss Narongpun, visit her JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/Ploy-jai-Narongphan

For further information on taking part in challenge events for MRF in 2015 contact Tom DeFraine on 01454 280413 or tomdf@meningitis.org