Councillor is training hard for Kilimanjaro challenge

WHILE most people are trying to come down from a mountain of Christmas food, one explorer has his sights firmly set on Africa's highest peak.

Councillor Ray Oxby, of Dursley Avenue, New Waltham, will attempt to scale Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, to raise money for the NSPCC – the chosen charity of the Mayor of North East Lincolnshire Mike Burton.

IN IT TOGETHER: Councillor Ray Oxby and his daughter Rachael Oxby, who are going to tackle Mount Kilimanjaro together. Pictures: Abby Ruston
PEAK PRACTICE: Ray Oxby and his daughter Rachael Oxby training in the gym at Humberston Country Club.

The 56-year-old will be attempting the six-day "Ox-pedition" in February with his daughter Rachael, 27, a commercial solicitor based in Oman.

He said: "I have been training very hard for this expedition since September.

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"Although it's been difficult over Christmas to forgo the extra mince pie, when I reach the summit knowing that I have not only achieved my personal goal but also raised lots of money for charity, it'll all be worth it.

"I have not had one piece of chocolate over the festive period, which has been really tough for me.

"I am training every other day and I burn 2,000 calories each time I go on the cross-trainer.

"I am going on the expedition with my daughter Rachael, so we'll both be supporting and encouraging each other."

The father-and-daughter team will start their journey on Friday, February 8, and hope to be finished one week later. During the trek, the pair will reach an altitude of 19,500ft as well as experiencing extremes in temperature ranging from about 35C to -15C.

Mr Oxby said: "Reaching the summit will take six days of climbing that intensifies as the days go on. We'll be walking for 13 hours on the final day.

"We'll trek through three climate zones, encountering arctic conditions as well as temperatures of 35C and 90 per cent humidity.

"I have had to buy a lot of equipment to cope with the changes.

"The only thing I am worried about is how I will react to the thin air up there.

"It's going to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

If you would like to sponsor Ray and Rachael you can e-mail him at rayoxby@hotmail.com