Chaeli & the 'Kili' Climbers to conquer Kilimanjaro

21 Aug 2015

Michaela Mycroft, aka Chaeli, has Cerebral Palsy and a degenerative neuropathy. This, however, has not stopped her from achieving great things thus far. As an ability activist, she wants to change the world's perception of people with disabilities.

On 27 August 2015, seven climbers, including Chaeli, will embark on an incredible adventure by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. In a custom fitted 'mountain' wheelchair, Chaeli will ascend to the 'top of Africa' with the aim of showing how important it is to work together to attain a seemingly impossible goal. If successful, we believe that she will be the first female quadriplegic to summit Mount Kilimanjaro.

Chaeli & the 'Kili' Climbers to conquer Kilimanjaro

Each of the seven climbers have funded their own climb and will be helping to raise funds for The Chaeli Campaign's Inclusive Education Programme, as well as the Chaeli Cottage Inclusive Pre-School and Enrichment Centre, where four able-bodied and six differently-abled children attend school every day.

The climb would not be possible without incredible partners. Duesouth has very generously sponsored the team with gear for the climb.

Online travel agency, Discover Africa - the official partner for the climb - offered the team the expertise of East Africa consultant Carel Verhoef, who has climbed Kilimanjaro once a year for the last nine years.

Discover Africa built a microsite that creates the sense of taking people up the mountain with Chaeli and the climbers. The website aims to raise additional awareness and funds for The Chaeli Campaign's inclusive programmes.

What's on the "DREAMWORK through TEAMWORK" microsite?

A visual fly-through of the climbers' route to Mount Kilimanjaro's summit

An interactive Google map which plots the climbers' planned route up the mountain, together with photos, video and messages

Users can subscribe to receive live updates directly from Kilimanjaro via email, or follow the climb on Facebook and Twitter

Profiles on each climber, with their specific role in the team

A timeline on how Chaeli and the team prepared for the climb

Messages of support from Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, Helen Zille, FW De Klerk, Mark Boucher, Rob van Vuuren and many more

Information on how you can make a donation to the Chaeli Campaign

Visit: www.discoverafrica.com/teamwork and www.chaelicampaign.co.za