A BUSINESS owner from Ringwood who was diagnosed with a lung disease only a year ago has completed a trip to Mount Kilimanjaro as part of her fundraising efforts for Dorset’s disability charity, Diverse Abilities.

Sophie Burgess-Kennar, owner of VeriSmart Inventories Salisbury & Wiltshire, self-funded her trip to Tanzania and has raised nearly £2000 for the charity.

Due to her condition, Sophie was unable to reach the sumit of the highest mountain in Africa but made it to the base camp at a height of 4,673 metres above seas level.

On her experience, Sophie said the Kilimanjaro trek was “a trip of a lifetime” and would recommend it to anyone who fancies taking on the biggest challenge of their life

She added: “In March 2019, I was diagnosed with a lung disease, but I decided to go ahead with the trek, with guidance from my doctor, as I had made the commitment to Diverse Abilities.

“I made friends for life during my time on the trip, as well as knowing I was raising money for a charity local to me, that I feel so passionately about and helps so many.

“I can honestly say that I loved every minute of it, and who knows, I may decide to try it again in a few years and see if I can make that summit.”

In the lead up to the event, Sophie held fundraising events including a gin festival at Ellingham and Ringwood Rugby Club, and has raised nearly £2,000 for the charity.

Karen Hay, events manager at Diverse Abilities, said: “We are so proud of Sophie and all the hard work she put into her training, especially considering everything she went through last year.

“Our challenge events are a great opportunity to do something a little bit different all while raising funds for a fantastic cause.”

Diverse Abilities offers a series of challenge events through the year, and fundraisers can do their own thing as well, visit diverseabilities.org.uk/events to find out more.