Fareham councillor climbs Mount Kilimanjaro for local charity
The councillor raised nearly £3,000 for a local children's cancer charity
A Fareham councillor has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, raising nearly £3,000 for a local children's cancer charity.
Fred Birkett, Ward Councillor for Fareham Park, climbed Africa's tallest mountain in Tanzania for local charity, Sophie's Legacy.
He spent six days climbing and aimed to raise awareness for childhood cancer.
Mr Birkett said: "Understanding Sophie's Legacy and the reason behind Sophie's Legacy was childhood cancer and the work that the charity has ongoing to help children in hospitals was a massive aid to me.
"I just fell in love with the charity.
"The volunteers that stick behind it, Charlotte, the mother of Sophie, and the absolute determination from Charlotte to make sure that Sophie's Legacy and the promises that she made were implemented as best she could."
He raised over £2,300 which increased to just under £3,000 with gift aid.
The charity, Sophie's Legacy, was set up by Charlotte Fairall in memory of her daughter, Sophie, who died in 2021 at the age of nine after being diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcom, a rare cancer.
They currently fund a five-day-a-week support worker in Portsmouth Hospital who provides a holistic service to families.