Army Cadets from Cambridgeshire tackle Mt Kilimanjaro

Army Cadets from Cambridgeshire are climbing Africa’s tallest mountain, Mt Kilimanjaro.

The thrilling once-in-a-lifetime expedition is designed to help teach the cadets resilience, teamwork, confidence and develop their leadership skills.

Fourteen cadets and nine adults are taking part and are travelling for two weeks.

They are beginning their trip with a short period of acclimatisation to the high altitude before beginning their ascent and stopping to visit a local orphanage.

The cadets are donating exercise books, stationery and toys collected from their families to the local community before their six days of climbing and camping, during which they will experience amazing scenery and diverse wildlife. The summit of Mt Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, is 5,895m (19,341ft) above sea level, making it the highest freestanding mountain in the world.

The trip will conclude with a safari at the Arusha National Park.

Fundraising for the expedition was carried out by all those taking part and supported by businesses, charities, adult instructors, parents and the public.

The Army Cadets is a free national youth organisation for young people aged between 12 and 18, providing opportunities to develop personal skills, self-confidence and educational opportunities.