A CHARITY worker from North Yorkshire this weekend headed out to Africa as part of an epic journey.

Andy Ryan, 38, the operational manager at national charity Changing Lives Addictions and Recovery Service in York, is set to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain in the world which stands at 19,341 feet (5,895 metres) above sea level.

The Changing Lives Oaktrees project, in Walmgate, York, offers abstinence-based, structured, day treatment for people with drug and or alcohol addiction.

Andy, who has been in recovery for 11 years, said: “I struggled with substance addiction and found myself lying in a hospital bed, rejecting support from family and friends. It took me to hit a painful rock bottom and to be pretty desperate while in the thick of addiction before I even understood that I could have a positive life without drugs.”

The fundraising climb to Kilimanjaro is to acknowledge the help and support that Andy received at the time which helped him to turn his life around. Andy has already raised £4,000 of his target of £6,000 through the support and generosity of supporters.

To support Andy, visit www.justgiving.com/kilimanjaro4recovery