Chemist sleeping in conservatory to prepare for Kilimanjaro (From Wimbledon Guardian)

Wimbledon Chemist Raj Patel sleeping in conservatory to prepare for charity Mount Kilimanjaro climb

5:50pm Thursday 7th February 2013 in News By Rebecca Locke

A Wimbledon pharmacy owner is raising money for Age UK Merton by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro this month.

Raj Patel, chairman of Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Local Pharmaceutical Committee, will climb Africa's highest mountain on February 16.

He aims to raise £1,111 each for Age UK Wandsworth, Merton and Sutton, a total of £3,333.

Mr Patel said: "Climbing Kilimanjaro has always been a personal challenge but it never seemed to be the right time.

"Then this opportunity came up to not only do something which has been a personal challenge, but also to raise money for a good cause.

"I wanted to raise the money for local elderly people rather than nationally, as I know a lot of old people in the area through my pharmacy."

Mr Patel is using his Wimbledon pharmacy, on Kingston Road, as a collection point for the charity, as well as running an in-store raffle prize for the climb.

Mr Patel has been preparing not only for the climb but also for the cold temperatures on Mount Kilimanjaro.

He said: "I’ve been walking all day in my hiking boots at work and I’ve also been walking a lot on Box Hill in all my equipment to get a feel for what it’s going to be like.

"To get used to sleeping in cold temperatures, I’ve started sleeping in my conservatory in my sleeping bag without any heating on and each time I find I’m sleeping better as I get used to the temperatures."

To donate to Mr Patel’s cause,visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Raj.R.Patel.