‘I climbed mountain for team who saved my life’

A man who underwent treatment for a rare form of cancer hopes his recent trek to the top of Africa’s highest mountain will inspire young people diagnosed with cancer.

Freddie Cole, from South Cave, East Yorkshire, was diagnosed with stage four Burkitt’s lymphoma in autumn 2022.

The 27-year-old, who spent four months in Castle Hill Hospital, near Hull, said: “Being diagnosed with cancer at a young age has made me look at life differently – I’m grateful to be alive.”

He was given the all-clear last year and spent months training to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, to raise money for WISHH, the Hull Hospitals charity, and the Teenage Cancer Trust.

“While I was in hospital, I decided that if I had a good result and a good recovery, I would do something to give back to the people that saved my life,” Mr Cole said. “Kilimanjaro stood out as a good challenge to take on.”

He said the “enormity” of what he was doing hit him when the summit was in sight and described the experience of being on the “roof of Africa” as “overwhelming”.

Mr Cole hopes his story will inspire young people who find themselves in a similar situation.

“It’s not going to be a nice journey, but try your best to stay positive,” he said.

To date, he has raised £47,000 for the two charities.

“I’m still thinking about my next challenge,” he added. “Some sort of run, either a marathon or an ultra-marathon, and maybe another big mountain.”