Two Knaresborough people aged over 60 are taking on Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Cancer survivor Michael Moorey and friend Lewis Denton will embark on an eight-day trek in Tanzania up the world’s tallest freestanding mountain in September.

Almost 19 years ago Michael, 64, underwent lifesaving surgery for a cancerous tumour on his liver. He was told if he had the same cancer a few years earlier it would have been untreatable and it would have been a matter of “keeping him comfortable" for as long as possible until he succumbed to the disease.

Thanks to advances in cancer treatment, however, Michael made a full recovery. Nevertheless he said the experience taught him “the true value of life and the importance of giving back".

He took early retirement after working in the motor trade for 40 years and wanted to “take on a different challenge”.

The challenge is self-funded, meaning every penny donated will go to Cancer Research UK. The target for their climb is currently £3,000 and Michael said “we hope to absolutely smash the target and maybe even double it.”

He is currently doing light training of up to six miles a day to build up endurance alongside his dog and said:

On their journey along the Lemosho Route the pair will pass through different climate regions from rainforest to glaciers and reach dizzying heights of 5,895 metres.

Lewis Denton, 60, said the challenge “started over a chat and a couple of beers and turned into reality”.

He joked that the easiest part was booking it. He said:

Lewis began training last summer and will begin six months of hill walking training soon.

He said:

To follow their journey and donate to the cause click here.

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