A STUDENT from Burnham was “gutted” after his plan to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for charity fell through on the day he was due to leave, when the organiser went into administration.

Ben Stacey had set himself the ultimate challenge to raise money for Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF).

But after working tirelessly for months to raise £2,850, on the morning of the trip Ben was told the company – Student Adventures – had gone into administration, resulting in the cancellation of his trip.

Ben, who studied at King Alfred School and is currently studying sport exercise and science at University of South Wales, told the Weekly News: “It was devastating. I found out at 11 on the morning I was due to fly so I was just gutted to be honest.

“I’d like to thank every single person who helped support me and donated to this incredible charity.”

Ben has now forwarded all the money raised to MRF.

He said: “I was denied the opportunity to climb Kilimanjaro; however the money raised is providing huge support for people suffering with this disease and will ultimately help to find a cure.”

Ben managed to raise the money in just six months by agreeing to match any donation made.

He continued: “I found out about the trip in October last year and realised we didn’t have long to raise the money.

“Once people found out I was matching the donations they started coming in more and more which really helped.”

The first-year student is now working with the charity to organise another adventurous expedition in the near future.

He said: “Hopefully we’ll be able to get something sorted, whether it’ll be climbing Kilimanjaro or something else.”