Glen Dobson is an extraordinary man. Inspired by a friend's son, Reece, who has myotubular myopathy, Glen has challenged himself on two occasions now to raise funds for the Myotubular Trust, which helps to fund research to find a treatment or cure for the condition. Having thrown himself out of a plane and completed his first parachute jump in support of the Trust in 2009, Glen Dobson has just returned from Africa following his latest achievement – climbing Mount Kilimanjaro!

Glen has kindly recounted his experience:

‘Well I made it back safely. What a week! We started the climb on Saturday 19th June and spent the four days leading up to the summit attempt acclimatizing with challenging walks each day, gradually getting harder and harder as we gained altitude. Didn't really sleep well at all and by Monday I had a banging headache due to the poor air quality.

We began the summit attempt at Midnight Tuesday and spent five hours in total darkness trudging up the cut back trail with nothing but a dim headlight illuminating the heels of the person in front of you. The climb seemed to go on for ever and all of the time I was desperate for air despite the "pole pole" (slow slow) pace. On several occasions I was ready to call it a day it was that tough, but then I would get a kick up the behind by all the words of encouragement from family and friends who have supported me throughout and force myself to take those few extra steps.

Finally after what seemed a lifetime I reached the summit at around 0530hrs on the Wednesday and just collapsed into a heap. Somebody forced a cup of black tea into my frozen mitt's which I gratefully accepted and I just sat back to ponder for a while. I had done it. Truly the hardest physical challenge I have ever faced and I won’t be rushing to do it again.’

Our congratulations and huge thanks go to Glen for his continued support and his determination in reaching the summit and we really cannot believe that he is already contemplating next years’ adventure challenge!

We would also like to thank Glen’s wife, Karen, for spending her seventh wedding anniversary apart from Glen, whilst he was on his trip.