Donate to Mountains Meru, Kilimanjaro & Kenya Expedition 2025

Mountains Meru, Kilimanjaro & Kenya Expedition 2025

Raised

£170

Distance

0 km

My story

Climbing for a Cause: One Man’s Journey Up Africa’s Greatest Peaks for Crohn’s & Colitis UK

In the heart of 2025, Marek is taking on a challenge that’s as physically demanding as it is deeply personal. Driven by determination and a desire to make a difference, he has set his sights on conquering three of Africa’s most iconic mountains—Mount Meru, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Mount Kenya—all to raise vital funds and awareness for Crohn’s & Colitis UK.

For me, this isn’t just about reaching the summits. It’s about supporting the over 500,000 people in the UK who are living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis—chronic, often invisible conditions that can turn everyday life into an uphill battle.

“I’ve seen firsthand how these diseases can affect someone’s quality of life. Climbing these mountains feels like a way to honor the strength and resilience of those who fight this every day. Every step I take is for them.” - Marek says.

The adventure begins with Mount Meru, Tanzania’s second-highest peak, known for its stunning scenery and steep ridgelines. It’s the perfect warm-up for the big one—Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, rising a staggering 5,895 meters above sea level. Finally, the journey ends on the dramatic peaks of Mount Kenya, a lesser-known but equally breathtaking climb with its rugged terrain and alpine beauty.

But Marek isn’t doing this alone. With every meter gained in altitude, he hopes to gain support from donors, friends, and strangers alike—people who believe in a future free from the pain of inflammatory bowel disease. The goal: to raise £500 or even more for Crohn’s & Colitis UK, a charity providing life-changing research, support, and advocacy.

“This challenge is about more than just physical endurance,” Marek says. “It’s about hope. Hope that one day, no one has to suffer in silence with Crohn’s or colitis.”

You can follow Marek’s journey and support the cause by donating through JustGiving. Every pound raised will go towards improving lives, funding research, and bringing us one step closer to a cure.

Because sometimes, to make a real difference—you have to climb a mountain.

My Story: Climbing Mountains On and Off the Trail

I was 14 when I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. At an age where most kids are figuring out who they are, I was figuring out how to live with a chronic illness that turned my world upside down.

Crohn’s isn’t just stomach pain or fatigue—it’s a daily fight. A fight through hospital stays, endless medications, unpredictable flare-ups, and more days spent in bed than I could ever count. Eventually, the disease became so severe that I had to undergo a life-changing surgery: a colostomy.

Waking up with a stoma wasn’t just a physical change—it was emotional, mental, and deeply personal. But it didn’t break me. In fact, it made me stronger. It made me more determined than ever to live, to thrive, and to do something that matters.

Now, I’m taking that fight to new heights—literally.

I’m climbing Mount Meru, Kilimanjaro, and Mount Kenya to raise awareness and funds for Crohn’s & Colitis UK. These mountains represent every obstacle I’ve faced. Every summit will be for those, like me, who fight this disease every single day and often do so in silence.

This journey is personal. It’s raw. It’s real. And it’s for everyone living with IBD who needs to know they’re not alone.

Raised

£170

Target

£500

34% there

Distance so far

0 km

Target

42 km

0% there