A BRAVE survivor of child sex abuse has started his gruelling climb of the highest mountain in Africa to raise funds for other survivors.

Tom Leavesley, aged 31, of formerly of Diglis, Worcester, is climbing Kilimanjaro for Survivors Manchester which provides therapeutic-based support services to male survivors of sexual abuse, rape and sexual exploitation.

His journey began on Sunday in the tropical jungle where he made his way towards a clearing, climbing 1,300 metres.

Mr Leavesley can already have been said to have climbed a mountain, metaphorically at least, by revealing the abuse he suffered in Stourport as a boy of 12 and facing Alan Page, the man who ‘stole his childhood’.

Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain Africa, therefore holds a certain symbolic value as an emblem of the mountains survivors must climb in their lives.

Mr Leavesley wrote on his blog on Monday: “I'm really feeling the effects of the altitude. We're currently at 3,100 metres and I'm having to work to force the air into my lungs.

“Each metre we climb the air pressure reduces and my diaphragm and ribs have to work harder to keep my lungs inflated.

“I woke a few times in the night gasping for air and felt pretty grotty. I've had some odd dreams too and generally struggled to get to more than a few hours sleep at a time.

“Another weird effect is the amount of burping and farting going on. All normal apparently as my body adjusts to the lower pressure.”

The next stage is the 800 metre climb to the Shiva caves. Mr Leavesley has now raised £5,362 for Survivors, well over his fundraising target of £5,000.

Mr Leavesley was abused in Stourport at the age of 12 but only reported the abuse at Worcester Police Station in Castle Street, Worcester, in December 2013 when he decided he was no longer going to suffer in silence.

He waived his legal right to anonymity to highlight abuse and encourage others to come forward if they have suffered abuse.

Page of Burcher Green, Kidderminster was sentenced to five years in prison for five indecent assaults against Mr Leavesley between July 1, 1996 and October 1, 1996.

Survivors Manchester took care of him as he went through the legal process, giving him invaluable emotional support and practical advice.

To sponsor Tom visit justgiving.com/tomsurvivors/