Gainsborough man set for Kilimanjaro trek for BHF

A self-confessed fitness phobic has set himself the biggest challenge of his life '“ climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Jason LumleyJason Lumley
Jason Lumley

Jason Lumley is in the midst of a strict exercise and dietary regime for the seven-day trek, where he will raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

Jason, 43, said: “I used to spend a good deal of my weekend socialising with friends – now I spend it in the gym. Friends and family are shocked by my change of lifestyle, but I’ve really got the bug for exercise and adventure.

“I’ve always loved a challenge.

“Climbing Kilimanjaro is the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced.”

As part of the preparation, Jason climbed Mount Snowden earlier this year – a sixth of the height of Kilimanjaro – but the weather cut the trip short before he reached the top.

But he said previous to that, it would have been a huge achievement for him to have ‘climbed to the fifth floor of a hotel’.

Preparing to climb the world’s highest free-standing mountain has seen Jason shed nearly a stone in weight.

“I’m not the fittest man in the world but I’m making good progress,” he said.

“Because I spend a lot of my time behind the wheel, finding time to keep fit isn’t easy. But for the past couple of months I’ve been doing 10,000 steps per day.”

The dad-of-one from Watkins Lane, Sturton le Steeple is a business development manager for timber specialists SR Timber and will embark on the challenge with his pal and colleague Richard Stone on August 21.

To sponsor Jason, visit www.justgiving.com/SR-Timber-Kilimanjaro.