Leweston School is proud to spotlight the remarkable efforts of Natalie Perett, Assistant Head of Pentathlon, who will embark on a seven-day expedition to climb Mount Kilimanjaro this week in support of Chameleon Buddies, a charity dedicated to helping women recover from childbirth trauma and injury. Her journey not only reflects extraordinary personal resilience but also serves as a powerful example to our students of courage, compassion, and global citizenship.
The Challenge: Conquering Kilimanjaro
Natalie departs this Friday for Tanzania, where she will tackle Africa’s highest peak - Mount Kilimanjaro, which rises to 5,895 metres (19,341 feet) above sea level.
The trek will span seven days, with five days ascending and two days descending. She and her team will follow a slower route to help acclimatise to the altitude, where oxygen levels at the summit drop to nearly 50% of those at sea level. The group will travel through five distinct climate zones, from lush rainforest to icy arctic summit, and camp in sub-zero conditions, with summit temperatures potentially reaching -15°C.
Climbing Kilimanjaro is a long, high-altitude trek that requires stamina, mental strength, and preparation. Natalie has committed to a rigorous training regime, including hill repetitions, weighted hikes, and gym sessions. Despite all of her physical preparation, altitude sickness is unpredictable and hard to prepare for, making it the hardest and riskiest part of this challenge. However, Natalie is committed to the challenge, focusing on the bigger picture: raising awareness and funds for a cause that has deeply shaped her own life.
A Personal Mission
Natalie’s motivation for this challenge is rooted in her own experience. At age 26, she experienced childbirth trauma that led to multiple surgeries and eventually a hysterectomy. Doctors told her she would never run again, and even cycling was deemed too strenuous for Dorset’s hilly terrain. Refusing to be defined by those limitations, Natalie has defied those predictions. She has since completed three Ironman 70.3 events and a three-woman English Channel relay.
Her Kilimanjaro climb is the next chapter in a journey of defiance and determination. “I want women to see that we can't be limited by our traumas,” she says. “More importantly, I want to help fund a much-needed hospital wing for women who have suffered childbirth injuries in Kenya.”
The Charity: Chameleon Buddies
Through this journey, Natalie hopes to raise 
awareness and vital funds for Chameleon Buddies, a charity founded in 2022 by Gill Castle, which promotes social inclusion and supports women in the UK and Kenya who live with stomas or have experienced traumatic childbirth injuries.
In Kenya, many women lack access to basic medical supplies and care, often resorting to unsafe alternatives to manage their condition including the use of tin cans and empty crisp packets in an attempt to control stoma leaks. The charity has provided stoma supplies to replace these makeshift solutions, trained nurses to offer specialised care, and delivered educational workshops to help women adapt to life after injury.
In the UK, Chameleon Buddies offers support groups and advocates for greater awareness of hidden disabilities and childbirth-related trauma.
The charity’s next major goal is to build a dedicated hospital wing in Kenya to provide long-term care and restore dignity to women who have been affected by childbirth injuries.
Inspiring the Leweston Community
Natalie’s journey is a powerful example to our students of what it means to persevere, give back, and lead with empathy. Her commitment to making a difference beyond the classroom is a reflection of the values we strive to instil at Leweston - resilience, service, and global awareness.
Leweston School wishes Natalie strength and success on this extraordinary adventure. We look forward to celebrating her achievement and the impact it will have on women’s lives around the world.
How you can support
We encourage our community to support Natalie’s climb and the vital work of Chameleon Buddies. Donations can be made via her JustGiving page: