Halesowen paraglider set for record-breaking flight of a lifetime (From Halesowen News)

Halesowen paraglider set for record-breaking flight of a lifetime

4:57pm Monday 2nd July 2012 in Local

AN INTREPID paraglider from Halesowen will join adventurers from every corner of the globe for a world record-breaking attempt to climb and fly from the ‘roof of Africa.’

Kevin Bigland is part of a group which aims to raise £1million by climbing 19,341 feet to the top of Kilimanjaro - the continent’s highest mountain - then launching from its summit.

The Government of Tanzania has agreed to lift its ban on paragliders and hand gliders in the Kimimanjaro National Park solely for the attempt in February 2013.

Mr Bigland, of Mucklow Hill, will be among around 200 pilots taking part in the bid named Wings of Kilimanjaro which will raise money for charities Plant with Purpose and The One Foundation.

The 48-year-old, who owns Cradley Heath company Trailhead Fine Foods, needs to raise around £4k for the good causes and appealed for people to sponsor him.

Mr Bigland, who was the first British man to paraglide from the summit of Aconcagua in Argentina, climbed Kilimanjaro last October on a reconoissance mission for the attempt.

He said: “It was obvious the weather conditions weren’t going to be suitable - the cloud early in the day made it impossible to fly from the summit.

“With the Masai Mara national reserve below with predators including lions and wilderbeast you have to be very careful.

“In January and early February the conditions are clear and stable.

“It will take us six days to get to the summit and around 45 minutes to get down to the airport in Tanzanir which will be closed especially by the president.”

Plant with Purpose addresses the problems of deforestation and poverty and The One Foundation aims to improve sanitation in Tanzania.

To sponsor Mr Bigland visit http://wingsofkilimanjaro.com/index.php/pilots/official-pilots/kevin-bigland/