A GROUP of three friends from Hertfordshire and Kent will attempt to summit the highest peak on the African continent to raise awareness and funds for the charity, Oracle Head and Neck Cancer UK.

Brother and sister, Callum and Josie McGurk from Ware, along with best friend Henry Rynehart from Sevenoaks, will start the climb on the 26^th of August and aim to make the summit on the 31^st of August. They will finish the expedition on the 3^rd of September. It is the first time the group of friends have ever attempted a challenge of this magnitude and hope the ambitious ascent will raise funds for Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK. The charity’s mission is to improve head and neck cancer patient quality of life and outcomes in the UK. It does this by enabling greater understanding, knowledge and awareness of head and neck cancers.

The trio were inspired to support the charity by Josie and Callum McGurk’s uncle, Professor Mark McGurk, who is a pioneering oral and maxillofacial head and neck cancer surgeon and consultant. Mark also serves as a trustee and surgical lead for the charity which merged with the Head & Neck Cancer Foundation, of which he was a co-founder.

Callum explains why they are supporting Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK: “As the UK’s leading head and neck cancer charity, it works tirelessly to improve patient outcomes for those diagnosed with head and neck cancer by providing support and funding for research programmes, raising awareness and by addressing growing healthcare inequalities.

On a personal level, me and my sister Josie have grown up watching the efforts of our uncle, Professor Mark McGurk. We have listened to the stories of cancer survivors and have been humbled by their experiences and the resilience they and their families have shown. We encourage everyone to take the time to read some of these stories themselves in the hope that this may raise awareness and understanding of the symptoms to look out for; but also, the available support networks.”

Michelle Vickers, Chief Awareness Officer at Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK says: “We are delighted that Callum, Josie and Henry are putting themselves forward for a challenge of this scale, all in aid of raising funds for Oracle Head & Neck Cancer UK. In completing this climb, they will play a part in improving patient outcomes for those faced with head and neck cancer, and I ask that anyone who is able to, please donate whatever amount they can. We wish them all the best for the climb!”