David Lench is aiming to
reach Mount Kilimanjaro's 5,895-metre summit

by business editor Trevor Sturgess

tsturgess@thekmgroup.co.uk

An energetic estate agent aims to raise more than £30,000 by
scaling Mount Kilimanjaro.

David Lench, group managing director of Ward & Partners,
which has branches countywide, embarks on September 22 with his
wife Vivien and her friend Jo Kingsman.

They are expected to take seven says to reach the 5,895-metre
summit, with a final ascent lasting 13 hours.

Their initial fundraising target of £15,000 has already doubled
thanks to generous friends and colleagues.

Mr and Mrs Lench, from Littlebourne, are making the trek for
Action Medical Research, a 60-year old charity dedicated to
improving the health of children and babies across the UK.

It has spearheaded numerous breakthroughs, including ultrasound
scanning in pregnancy and fetal heart rate monitors.

He said he and his senior colleagues were blessed with healthy
children "but sadly that isn't the case everywhere."

Mr Lench and his firm are frequent fund-raisers for good
causes. He has tackled various climbs and bike rides in recent
years, raising £33,000 by completing the Three Peaks Walk and a
further £10,000 from trekking over three Yorkshire peaks.

"I'm in active training and it's painful," Mr Lench said. "I'm
not overly fit but I'm a determined sort of guy and seem to be able
to manage various feats."

Anyone wishing to support the Lench and Kingsman Kilimanjaro challenge can help by visiting Action Medical Research's website.