A team of 13, including an ocean rower and polar racer, are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for the New Victoria Medical Foundation.

Before they stepped on the plane, they had already raised more than £99,000 for the foundation, which provides medical support to help improve the lives of those in most need.

Graham Ball, chief executive of the charity, said: “The Kilimanjaro Challenge promises to be the experience of a lifetime and at the same time will raise a significant amount of funds to provide medical support for those who need it most.”

Jan Meek, an ocean rower and polar racer who lives in Ham, said: “All their work is brilliant but the part that really inspires me is their work providing Mobility Aids for Children.”

The New Victoria Medical Foundation was created in 2007 with money from the sale of the New Victoria Hospital in New Malden to an Irish property millionaire.

To sponsor the team visit justgiving.com/nvmfkilimanjarochallenge2009team.

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