While you are reading this, we will – if God spares us – be either on the final leg of our journey to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, or we may already have reached it. I would ask you to please keep myself and my three friends – Brian McClure, Simon Robinson and Stuart Hill – in your thoughts and prayers as we take on this challenge in aid of two incredible local charities: Bangor Food Bank and Uhub Mental Health Charity.
What began as a personal goal to raise £10,000 for these charities has grown far beyond anything I ever imagined. Thanks to the extraordinary kindness of people across North Down and further afield, we have now raised an incredible £29,130 – and the figure continues to rise.
One of the most recent and heartwarming contributions came from the BETS Club in Bangor, which hosted a fantastic afternoon event – BETS Got Talent – in support of the fundraising campaign. The event raised £1,300, and in an incredibly generous gesture, the winning singers donated their prize money to the two charities. I would like to say a huge thank you to the entire team at the BETS Club, as well as to all of the event sponsors who donated prizes, and everyone who worked hard behind the scenes to make the event such a success. Your efforts and kindness have made a real difference, and I am truly grateful.
From small donations of just a few pounds to the exceptional £5,000 donation from Halo Body Cams, and the success of our fundraising dinner in June, this campaign has been a powerful reminder of how compassionate and generous our community is. With us now at £29,130, I’m no longer setting new targets – it’s simply about raising as much as we possibly can for Bangor Food Bank and Uhub Mental Health Charity. Let’s see if we can smash it as we reach the summit.
My physical and mental preparation for Kilimanjaro has been intense. Over recent months, I’ve trained regularly across the Mourne Mountains, tackling peaks like Slieve Donard, Slieve Binnian, Slieve Meelmore and Slieve Commedagh – all of which have tested my endurance and resilience. It’s been a journey of early mornings, sore legs and determination – but all worth it for the cause.
Mount Kilimanjaro stands nearly 6,000 metres tall. It’s a challenge not just of physical endurance but of willpower, altitude, and unpredictable conditions. I’m honoured to be climbing it with three close friends – Brian, Simon and Stuart – whose support and friendship have been invaluable throughout this entire journey.
I’ll be blogging daily, signal permitting, on my Facebook page – Alex Easton MP, sharing our progress, photos, and reflections from the climb. I invite everyone to follow our journey from base to summit and join us in spirit as we push toward the top of Africa.
And if you haven’t yet donated – there’s still time. You can give via my Facebook page, and every single pound will go directly to Bangor Food Bank and Uhub to help families in crisis and individuals struggling with their mental health.
Thank you again to everyone who has donated, supported, prayed and encouraged us. We carry your good wishes with us all the way to the summit.
Alex Easton MP
Member of Parliament for North Down
