Meet the Edinburgh students climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for charity

It’s puzzling why any student would exchange Wetherspoons’ pints and a British summer for six days climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. So puzzling that I felt I had to ask these explorers exactly why they are pushing their bodies to such extremes and how they are preparing for their adventure which is taking place in August 2025.

After settling down in the chatter and warmth of an Edinburgh cafe, I met with three of the 38 climbers to get some answers and hear about their fundraising event happening tonight.

What charity is the climb supporting?

Asking what’s driving the team, I asked what charity they’re supporting. Team leader Amelie said: “The charity is called Dig Deep and they work in Bomet County Kenya.” Working in collaboration with the county and national governments, Dig Deep aims to provide “clean water, sanitation and health education” for Bomet County’s one million residents.

Evangelique explained why the charity’s local approach makes fundraising even more rewarding: “The funds aren’t being widely spread globally, it’s centralised in that county so hopefully our difference will be seen and heard.”

Such aid is vital in Bomet County, where two out of three people do not have access to clean drinking water, and waterborne diseases like Cholera can be deadly.

Girls outside the bathroom facilities built by Dig Deep at Rotik Secondary School in Ndanai, Bomet county, Kenya.

Why a mountain?

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I know the couch potatoes among us are wondering: Why a mountain? Especially a mountain with a height equal to 130 stacked 40 George Square buildings. Don’t feel bad about yourself just yet – these climbers are seasoned athletes (and maybe a little masochistic). 

Angus said: “I enjoy challenging myself, pushing myself to do things that I’ll never do again.” Amelie had a similar perspective, calling the trip a “once in a lifetime opportunity” and discussing her love for hiking.

Evangelique told us about her experience hiking two volcanoes in 24 hours when she visited Antigua, Guatemala: “It was really hard! But that sense of accomplishment you got when you reached the top was like no other.” She highlighted the importance of the group: “Being part of a team and achieving it together, it fills me with such adrenaline – I just wanted to do it again.” 

Evangelique with her twin sister, pictured after climbing both Acatenango and Fuego volcanoes in Guatamala. The duo will take to the mountains once more as part of the Edinburgh team’s Kilimanjaro climb.

It appeared that by putting themselves out there, the team members had found something to unite them beyond a passion for fundraising and mountaineering. They had found a supportive community, a group of people they could make lifelong memories with. 

“I didn’t sign up with anyone I knew but I’ve met so many people that I would now class as friends through it,” Angus told me, “like minded people sign up to things like this.”

How is everyone fundraising?

The climbers are putting on a dating show-esque event at Dropkicks tonight to raise money for Dig Deep. Each team member has to raise 2990 pounds to take part in the climb, with half going towards Dig Deep and the other half towards the guides who will take the team up the mountain. 

Angus will be part of the lineup of single men and women attempting to impress audience members and take a special stranger on a date. He said: “There will be a single person on the stage who will go through a series of rounds and the audience will have a light that they can turn on or off depending on whether they like or don’t like that person.”

Audience members will see “pick up lines, rizz videos, outfits” and “special talents” shown off by the competitors in the name of charity. Tickets are being sold at the door and will cost 7.50. 

Amelie’s flatmate Sophie will even be shaving her head for Dig Deep: “We’re having a shave her head flat party – so people who donate, they’re all coming to watch her shave her head and we’re having a party afterwards!” Insane? Maybe a bit, but Dig Deep’s charity climb of Kilimanjaro has awoken a new perspective in the climbers, motivated by a sincere desire to create change.

Amelie and other members of the Edinburgh team, sweaty after completing the Three Peaks Challenge earlier this year as part of fundraising activities.

I was certainly inspired by the passion and agency Amelie, Angus and Evangelique displayed during our interview and will be cheering the climbers on loudly at Dropkicks this Friday.

If you want to follow the journey of the climbers and learn more about the incredible work that Dig Deep is doing, follow the Edinburgh team’s Instagram @edinburghkili and Dig Deep’s account @digdeepafrica.

Or, if you are feeling sufficiently inspired, sign up to join the Edinburgh team as they summit Mount Kilimanjaro this Summer! Applications are open until the 30th of November 2024 and can be found online on the Dig Deep website.