Man Without Legs to Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Raise Money for Nonprofit Free The Children

SAN FRANCISCO, May 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- For many, summer ushers in opportunities for vacations and leisure activities. But for Spencer West, who at the age of five lost his legs, this summer will be marked by a challenging climb up Mt. Kilimanjaro with the goal of raising money for international charity Free The Children.

West, along with two friends, will begin the eight-day trek on June 12, hoping to raise $750,000 for Free The Children and bring sustainable clean water programming to thousands of Kenyans who last year experienced the region's worst drought in 60 years.  West is encouraging supporters to help him reach his goal by each donating $10, sponsoring one step in Spencer's almost 20,000 foot journey up the tallest mountain in Africa.

Every year, 20,000 to 35,000 people attempt to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, and only approximately 50 percent reach its peak. Spencer will undertake the climb in his wheelchair, on his hands and with the help of his friends.

West recently published his memoir Standing Tall: My Journey and serves as a motivational speaker for Me to We, a social enterprise that offers socially conscious and environmentally friendly clothes and accessories as well as life-changing international volunteer trips.  As part of his journey, West is calling on individuals globally to join him and 'Redefine Possible' – whether that means tackling a difficult goal, taking on a unique adventure or overcoming a personal obstacle.

"We have the capacity to redefine the limits of our own potential," said West. "That's why, with my new Redefine Possible mission, I'm using my story and challenges to inspire others to overcome obstacles and get involved in whatever they are passionate about.  Just like my parents saw the potential in me, I see the potential in all of us."

People can visit www.freethechildren.com/redefinepossible to sponsor a step, follow Spencer's journey, or purchase a Redefine Your Possible T-shirt with a portion of the proceeds supporting his climb.

About Spencer West
Despite losing his legs at the age of five, the inspirational and charismatic Spencer West hasn't let anything stand in his way. As a Me to We motivational speaker and author, Spencer has traveled the world sharing his humour, humility and message of triumph with millions of people.

In 2008, Spencer traveled to Kenya on an international volunteer trip with Me to We and helped build a school in a rural and impoverished community in the Maasai Mara region of Kenya. He credits this experience for helping him recognize his true calling – to motivate and inspire people around the world.

Read Spencer West's inspiring life story in his recently released memoir, Standing Tall: My Journey, and wear the Redefine Your Possible T-shirt, designed by Spencer himself with Me to We Style, with a portion of the proceeds supporting his climb.

About Free The Children
Free The Children is the world's largest network of children helping children through education, with more than one million youth involved in our innovative education and development programs in 45 countries. Founded in 1995 by international child rights activist Craig Kielburger, we are a charity and educational partner that believes in a world where all young people are free to achieve their fullest potential as agents of change. Our domestic programs educate, engage and empower hundreds of thousands of youth in North America, the UK and around the world. Our international projects have brought over 650 schools and school rooms to youth and provided clean water, health care and sanitation to one million people around the world.

Free The Children has a proven track record of success. The organization has received the World's Children's Prize for the Rights of the Child (also known as the Children's Nobel Prize), the Human Rights Award from the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations, and has formed successful partnerships with leading school boards and Oprah's Angel Network. For additional information, please visit www.freethechildren.com.

For more information or to speak to Spencer West, please contact:
Meghan Donovan, Current, 212-537-8735, [email protected]

SOURCE Free The Children