Ilkley author climbs Kilimanjaro to support Yorkshire Cancer Research in memory of brother-in-law

Ilkley author climbs Kilimanjaro to support Yorkshire Cancer Research in memory of brother-in-law content

A best-selling author from Ilkley has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, raising over £2,700 for vital cancer research and services in Yorkshire.

Imogen Clark conquered the highest mountain in Africa in memory of her brother-in-law, Neil, a committed supporter of Yorkshire Cancer Research, who sadly passed away from liver cancer in 2024.

Imogen is wearing a blue coat and white hat. She is standing at the top of Mt Kilimanjaro next to a large sign. In the background you can see clouds and a blue sky.

Quote from Imogen Clark

Finding out that Neil had terminal cancer was devastating. He was larger than life and incredibly loyal to everyone who knew him. Even in his final months, he remained remarkably positive, giving us the chance to share both his joys and sorrows. We’re a close-knit family and his strength meant so much to us.”

Fundraiser

Imogen's family sitting around a large wooden table in a restaurant. Everyone is smiling at the camera.

Neil was passionate about helping Yorkshire Cancer Research discover new and better cancer treatments, choosing the charity as the partner for an annual golf tournament he attended each year.

“When Neil was told he had cancer, he chose to support Yorkshire Cancer Research by fundraising and raising awareness. It mattered that the charity was local to him and that the funding would go towards research in Yorkshire. Knowing how much hope cancer research gave him, I wanted to follow in his footsteps.”

Yorkshire Cancer Research funds £75 million of life-saving research and services to find new and innovative ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer in the region. Thanks to supporters, the charity has brought pioneering cancer breakthroughs and progress to Yorkshire since 1925.

Three people with backpacks wearing hiking gear. In the background you can see a rocky mountain surface and green shrubbery.

An orange tent in the snow overlooking the edge of a mountain.

Lots of climbers wearing backpacks and hiking gear climbing the surface of the mountain.

Three people wearing hiking gear descending a mountain. The sun is shining and there is lots of greenery.

Imogen had never been into endurance sports, but after seeing someone climb Mount Kilimanjaro on social media, she felt inspired to take on the challenge. She persuaded two friends to join her and signed up for the trek in September 2024, giving herself a year to train. They went on many walks together, including climbing each of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, to prepare.

Imogen and her friends chose a gradual route, spending eight days on the mountain to allow their bodies to acclimatise and improve their chances of reaching the summit.

Together with guides, porters, and a group of ten hikers from around the world, the group set off early each day to make the most of the daylight and warmer conditions.

She said: “Starting each day was important as it would be misty by the time we reached camp, and temperatures dropped as cold -10°C. Camping in that weather was one of the hardest parts, but waking up to those views made it worthwhile.”

“On summit day, the oxygen levels were so low that every step felt hard. I barely had the energy to lift my legs a few inches off the ground. When we finally reached the top, all I felt was relief.”

Quote from Imogen Clark

It was only after we descended that I realised what we’d achieved. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I get emotional just talking about it. I’m so proud to have done this for Neil and for a cause so close to his and our family’s heart.”

Fundraiser

Imogen wearing sunglasses and a beige cap taking a selfie while climbing Mt Kilimanjaro. In the background are large hills.

Thanks to generous donations from friends, family, and the Ilkley community, Imogen raised over £2,700 to support the charity’s mission to save lives in Yorkshire.

She said: “I was blown away by the support. It’s a testament to how loved Neil was. My kids even told their friends and posted on social media. I’m completely amazed by the total I raised! It means so much to know Neil’s legacy lives on and we can continue to support a charity that meant so much to him.”

Dr Kathryn Scott, Chief Executive at Yorkshire Cancer Research, said: “Thanks to the dedication and generosity of people in communities across Yorkshire, Yorkshire Cancer Research can fund pioneering cancer research and innovative new services for people with cancer in the region. The money raised by Imogen will help bring world-leading cancer research and talented cancer experts to our region, so people in Yorkshire can be among the first to benefit from innovative new cancer treatments and clinical trials.”

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