Chester man Tom Mcfadden is battling depression by climbing Kilimanjaro

Tom Mcfadden, 21, will be taking on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania this October in aid of the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature).

He told The Standard that he had come up with the idea while dealing with mental health issues that had arisen in his final year at university studying Spanish and psychology.

“At the end of 2018 I decided that if there was any chance of getting better mentally I would have to get myself out of a rut I was in, nobody was going to do it for me!” said Tom.

Tom helping rescued elephants in Asia.

“So, I decided I wanted to do something for myself and for the planet. I have been interested in geography and animals my entire life, I have volunteered in Costa Rica working with marine turtles and I have been with rescued Asian elephants in Asia.

“These experiences have really impacted my vision on life as a whole.”

Tom, who lived Spain before moving back to the UK and to Chester, has raised almost £1,000 so far but is aiming for £3,500.

Tom has volunteered on conservation projects abroad.

He added: “Not only is this a personal goal to overcome the darker patches I have experiences in recent years, it is an effort to spread the word about conservation and how important it is to work alongside charities and Non-Governmental Organisations.

"We love our animals, but they are rapidly disappearing, and it is almost all down to mankind. We cannot do a lot about many issues we face in this world, but this is one that only we can fix. I am angry and disappointed we have let it get this far, but I really hope people can support this cause and my journey to Kilimanjaro."

Tom Mcfadden.

Tom is appealing to any local businesses who may be able to sponsor him to contact him at mcfaddentom@yahoo.com

People can donate directly to Tom’s cause at www.justgiving.com/tom-mcfadden

Tom on one of his outdoor adventures.