Local MP raises nearly £30,000 ahead of Mount Kilimanjaro climb

The MP for North Down has raised almost £30,000, as he prepares to take on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a challenging trek that can take anywhere from 5 to 9 days.

Alex Easton is taking on the six day climb for two local charities - Bangor Food Bank and UHub Mental Health Charity.

Easton has worked with UHUB himself, after struggling greatly with his mental health following the tragic death of his parents.

His parents, Alec and Ann Easton, died after a blaze at their County Down home in January 2023.

He spoke to Downtown/Cool FM exclusively: "I have always struggled with anxiety... When my parents were killed in a fire, my mental healthy gradually got really bad, to the point where I probably did not want to be here. Luckily, my GP referred me, and I got the help that I needed. So this was important to me and I wanted to try and help people in that position."

He went on to say he had always wanted to take on the climb, but he did not want to do it just for himself. Raising money for two local charities was important to him, to make the challenging climb more meaningful.

With the cost of living crisis impacting everybody, he praised the work of Bangor Food Bank, and explained why he chose to donate to the team there: "The amount of people we refer to foodbanks is quite incredible. The local one here is extremely busy. I have always donated to them, but I wanted to do something more substantial, to help people who are more in need."

After months of rigorous training, running every day and hiking through the Mourne Mountains, Mr Easton said he is ready to take on the challenge, but admits there will definitely be points that will 'test his nerves'.

The MP will begin his trek at the end of this month, on 29th July.