RAF Lossiemouth serviceman to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa, to raise funds for pair of charities
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AN RAF Lossiemouth serviceman will attempt to summit Africa’s highest peak to raise money for personnel and their families.
Flight Lieutenant Tom Lee (29) is climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, with his father, Former Wing Commander Nigel Lee (56), on January 17.
The pair are aiming to raise £6000 for the RAF Benevolent Fund, as well as cancer services at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust where Nigel works as a director.
Both charities are close to Tom's heart. He worked closely with the Benevolent Fund while based at Lossiemouth as a Weapon Systems Officer and his grandmother died of cancer at the age of 61.
He said: “As I turn 30 next year, I am looking to mark the year with a set of notable events.
"I am most looking forward to experiencing diverse cultures and local people on this trek – and to scale the world’s highest free-standing mountain. Climbing Kilimanjaro sets a high bar for the events I plan to take part in in 2024!
“I set myself some challenges during 2023, including the Inverness Half Marathon, the Edinburgh Marathon and in November the Dava Way 50km Ultra Marathon.
“I have also climbed a number of Munros over the past few months, including Cairngorm, An Teallach in the Western Highlands, and Aonach Eagach ridge in Glencoe.”
The challenge also means a lot to Tom’s father Nigel, who added: “Having served in the RAF for 20 years and now working in the NHS, I can see the challenges that serving personnel, veterans and their families of all ages face.
“We wanted to combine our wish to support people in the greatest need with our strong RAF connections and help the RAF Benevolent Fund to provide the range of welfare support to serving and former members of the RAF and their families.”
The pair have raised more than £1000 for their chosen charities so far. You can donate to Nigel and Tom’s fundraiser on justgiving.com/crowdfunding/NigelandTomNHSandRAF
