Kent Sport employees don’t shy away from taking on challenges. Yasmin Benaleten, a Kent Sport auxiliary Duty Officer and Master’s student, certainly fits the bill. She has taken on the arduous task of climbing Kilimanjaro in support of the Meningitis Research Foundation.

Yasmin is currently studying for her Master’s in Organisational Psychology and became a Kent Sport auxiliary in September 2018, slotting right in with the team. With her history of sport having been involved with the rowing team as well as lacrosse, Yasmin is no stranger to keeping fit.

She decided to take part in an extraordinary challenge along with 50 other people that not only tests physical, but mental ability as well – climbing the tallest free-standing mountain in the world in September 2019.

Pairing her challenge with a charity, Yasmin chose the Meningitis Research Foundation, hoping her efforts go towards helping to eradicate this horrible disease by 2030.

‘As I am a current student, I especially want to raise awareness that [students] are at the second highest risk in getting the bacteria which causes the swelling of the protective layers around the brain and long term damage which [causes] one death per every tenth person being infected. The vaccinations are funded by the Foundation, supported by events like climbing Kilimanjaro,’ said Yasmin.

Yasmin is going to be fundraising as much as possible to ensure her challenge happens. She’ll also be taking part in fitness regimes and applying to participate in the Xercise Factor to get her in tip-top shape.

If you’re interested in finding out more and supporting Yasmin on her trek up Kilimanjaro, please see her fundraising page.

Kent Sport wishes Yasmin and her teammates all the best for such an incredible feat.