Upper Cumberworth sixth-former picked for Nelson Mandela trek up Kilimanjaro

It'll be an expedition of a lifetime for an intrepid sixth former.

Oliver Burman, from Upper Cumberworth, has been selected for the Trek4Mandela climb of Mt Kilimanjaro, on Mandela Day.

The 17-year-old will be joining South African celebrities and businessmen in scaling the 5,895m peak on July 18.

Oliver, a student at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield, will be the UK’s only participant in the climb which aims to raise £3m to help 270,000 South African girls stay in school.

He was picked thanks to his dad Duncan, who has raised £1m for charity projects across Southern Africa and helped develop the Trek4Mandela.

The place was offered to Duncan who immediately passed it to his son who is currently doing his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.

Oliver will raise cash for the Imbumba Foundation which aims to break the cycle of poverty in rural African communities.

Richard Mabaso, CEO of the foundation will cover Oliver’s climbing costs while his flight and expenses have already been paid for.

Oliver, a leader of, said: “I was humbled to be given such an offer and as the only UK participant, to climb with South Africa’s Chief Scout and such prominent South African citizens, is a real honour.

“I will need to now get some serious training in to make sure I am at the top of Kilimanjaro on Mandela Day.

“We hope to be up and down in less than six days so it will be a hard challenge.”

Oliver’s brother Josh and his friend Alex Spencer-Taylor bought £3,000 worth of food and cooking equipment for residents of a remote South African village on a trip organised by the Imbumba Foundation in 2013.

To sponsor Oliver visit: www.justgiving.com/Oliver-Burman .

Kilimanjaro Facts

Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano in Tanzania.

It has three volcanic cones, Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira.

While Mawenzi and Shira are extinct, Kibo is dormant although the last major eruption was 150,000 to 200,000 years ago.

At 5,895 metres (19,341 ft) above sea level, it is the tallest mountain in Africa.

It was first ascended in 1889 by Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller.