Cancer survivor climbs Kilimanjaro to raise funds for health charities

GOING UP: Freddie Cole at the start of his adventure in Tanzania

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

A young man who survived a rare form of cancer has climbed Africa’s highest mountain to raise funds for the hospital where he was treated.

In autumn 2022 Freddie Cole, from South Cave, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Burkitts lymphoma – a rare cancer of both the bone marrow and the lymph system which affects just 210 people in the UK each year.

He was treated on Ward 33, the Teenage and Young Adult Unit at the Queen’s Centre at Castle Hill Hospital, which became his home for four months.

Despite numerous rounds of aggressive chemotherapy, multiple blood and platelet transfusions and even a bout of sepsis once he finally made it home after treatment, Freddie’s resolve, coupled with family support and great care from the unit, saw him through and he was given the all-clear last year.

AWESOME: Mount Kilimanjaro. Picture credit: Sergey Pesterev

Now, after more than two years in remission, Freddie – who may be a familiar face to those who visit Drewton’s farm shop in South Cave, where he is a director at the family-owned business – has decided to give back to those who cared for him.

He has organised a number of events, auctions, dinners and raffles to raise funds and, crucially, awareness of rare blood cancers and the importance of early diagnosis.

And last week he completed his biggest challenge to date – climbing Kilimanjaro, a dormant volcano in Tanzania 5,895 metres above sea level, to raise funds for both the Hull Hospitals charity WISHH, and the Teenage Cancer Trust. He originally set a target of £4,000 but has already surpassed this by thousands and and his fundraising total is still growing.

Freddie, 27, said: “Donations to help raise funds for these two amazing charities, to help patients and families in similar life changing situations, would be gratefully accepted.

GIVING BACK: Freddie was keen to help students and resident doctors learn during his treatment

“I can’t thank all the consultants, nurses, Teenage Cancer Trust, and the entire team enough, who work in Ward 33 in The Queen’s Centre, at Castle Hill. They do an amazing job and are so kind and friendly. I nearly lost my life and they cared and looked after me, to cure me.

“I would also like to say thank you so much to everyone who has supported me through this. I received so many kind words, prayers, cards and gifts from family, friends, and customers of the farm shop.

“And to all those people who give blood. I needed so many transfusions and I wouldn’t be here without them.”

A post on the Drewton’s Facebook page said: “Our hero!! Freddie came down off the mountain to a huge welcome! There won’t be many people in Tanzania who won’t have heard about Freddie, I’m sure!!

CONTRIBUTION: Freddie presenting some of the funds he has raised to Charlene Kent, left, Vic Walsh, second left, and Dr James Bailey, right, at Castle Hill Hospital

“He looks amazingly well, is buzzing, and has been with the most fantastic group of guys from Yorkshire, London, and Wales. The banter was infectious and they’re already talking about doing Everest together in a couple of years!!

“What an amazing achievement, an incredible amount of money raised, and Freddie’s determination and strength of mind is truly admirable. Enjoy your beers guys.”

• You can read more about Freddie’s cancer journey and donate to his fundraising appeal here.