Daventry teenager conquers 'Mt Kilimanjaro' at home by climbing her stairs over 2,300 times

A Daventry teenager will be sitting down to take a well-earned rest tonight after "climbing" Mt Kilimanjaro on her stairs this week.

Earlier today (May 4), Lexi Jarvill completed the last day of her challenge to scale the height of the famous Tanzanian mountain in her own home.

To conquer to 19,000ft challenge, the 17-year-old needed to climb up her stairs 331 times a day for seven days straight - and going downstairs doesn't count.

The Daventry A-Level student took on the task for the Northampton Hope Centre after overcoming coronavirus herself just weeks ago.

Lexi said: "I had it for two-and-a-half weeks. It was horrible, really. But while I was in bed with it I was thinking about how I had a roof over my head and meals and a family to take care of me. But what about the people who don't have any of those things?

"I just decided that when I recovered I would do something about it."

Lexi's challenge would mean climbing the stairs up and down for up to four-and-a-half hours a day to conquer the "summit".

She said: "I really enjoyed the first day. But on day two my legs really hurt. By day four, five and six it was easier - I think my body got used to it but my calves are really tight.

"I listen to music and try and climb to the beat, or listen to podcasts. I also talk to myself a lot.

"I haven't thought about how to celebrate. I'll just enjoy a nice meal my mum's cooking and go to bed."

Now, Lexi has more than tripled her fundraising target of £300 and raised an incredible £1,000 on JustGiving.Lexi's mum Noo Jarvill said: "I'm really proud of her. I really admire her gumption - in the morning she would say how much her legs hurt but still get up and say 'I've got to do it, I said I would".

For more information on Lexi's challenge, visit her JustGiving page.