Team Kammy reach the summit of Kilimanjaro and raise thousands for Marie Curie Nurses as part of Football League charity partnership
As the Tanzanian dawn was breaking this morning, The Football League's Team Kammy achieved their final goal of conquering Mount Kilimanjaro for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
After a gruelling five days trekking in tough conditions, the team led by legendary football pundit and Marie Curie ambassador Chris Kamara, set off at midnight to make the final six hour ascent to victory.
The scene was stunning as Swansea City boss Brendan Rodgers, former Watford and Coventry City Manager Aidy Boothroyd , Middlesbrough Chairman Steve Gibson, Daily Mail columnist Des Kelly, BBC Sport's Mark Clemmit and fans representing 17 clubs, all donned their club colours to bring The Football League to Africa's highest peak.
Brendan Rodgers, said: "This has been one of the most stressed physical and mental experiences of my entire life. But it has been a wonderful team effort to get to the summit. 90 per cent of the group reached the summit, an amazing achievement when you consider that only 45 per cent of people who attempt it actually do it.
"I'm overwhelmed that I've done the double this season and this is dedicated to my mum, dad and all my family, friends and Swans fans that have supported me."
Aidy Bothroyd said: "This has to be the hardest physical and mental challenge I have ever faced. To go without sleep and be able to climb the biggest free standing mountain in the world, for an amazing cause, goes down as one of the best achievements of my life"
Kammy said: "I am gobsmacked - this has been an absolutely unbelievable experience with great camaraderie all round. There are a lot of people up this mountain for personal reasons. I did this for my mum, who was looked after by Marie Curie Nurses at home before she died and that was what kept me going when it got really tough. I was not alone. Brendan did it for his mum and dad, Clem - his mum, Des - his mum, not to mention all the other stories from the rest of the group. So standing on top of the mountain today was a real emotional moment.
"We've had no beer up the mountain but I think one or two will be drunk tonight to celebrate and I'm leading the team down now to reach the first pint!"
The trek was organised to mark the end of The Football League's Official Charity Partnership with Marie Curie for the 2010/11 season. All money raised will help Marie Curie Nurses provide more free care to people in homes across all 72 Football League communities in the country. The team have raised £150,000 for the charity so far, with more money still coming in.
John Nagle, Head of Communications for The Football League said ""For the group to conquer Africa's highest mountain and raise so much money in the process has been a fantastic way for us to crown The Football League's season of support for Marie Curie Cancer Care. We offer our congratulations to all those that have taken part."
You can sponsor all those taking part via their below Just Giving pages or make a £1.50 donation to the charity by texting 'Kammy' to 70777. For full terms and conditions, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/smsterms
Chris Kamara - www.justgiving.com/Chris-Kamara
Brendan Rodgers - www.justgiving.com/Brendan-Rodgers
Aidy Boothroyd - www.justgiving.com/Aidy-Boothroyd
Steve Gibson - www.justgiving.com/Steve-Gibson
Mark Clemmit - www.justgiving.com/markclemmit
Des Kelly - www.justgiving.com/Des-Kelly
The Football League has been keeping everyone up to date on stories from the camp via @football_league using the hashtag #FLKiliClimb. And The League's Tom Harverson has been bringing all the news from Team Kammy with a blog at www.football-league.co.uk/mariecurie
