A WOMAN from Frome has returned from Tanzania having climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in memory of her father, who died 10 years ago of cancer.
So far, Kate Smith has raised £2,600 which will be donated to The Forever Friends appeal at Bath’s RUH which aims to build a state-of-the-art cancer centre and Get Kids Going which offers young disabled people the chance to become more involved in sport.
Kate told the Frome Times, “The climb was incredible, such a huge challenge, something that brought me to some very low points, but also the highest too.
“The walking throughout the week was enjoyable and steadily paced, the weather was amazing, mostly clear blue skies between walking among the clouds; 33 centigrade at the bottom and -20 centigrade at the top! The day we walked to the summit was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. We left at 11.30pm and reached the summit at 6.30am. Walking through the night in the freezing temperatures with very little oxygen, I felt very close to giving up, but I managed to get up to the top and see the beautiful sunrise; a moment I will never forget.
“We walked about 16 hours that day, it was extremely exhausting, but the adrenaline of having completed the challenge was enough to keep me going!
“I’ve raised about £2,600 so far and I’m massively grateful to everyone who has donated. I know my dad would be really proud too, if not a little jealous. The trip was an amazing tribute to him and something I’m so pleased to have had the opportunity to do. I’m continuing my collection online for a further few months but have just started an Open University course which I’m focusing my time on, so no more fundraising events for the time being. I would like thank my sponsors as without whom this whole journey would have been impossible; Aston Rose Surveyors, Wessex Drain Services Ltd, Kushi and Archers Marquees.”
If anyone else would like to donate, please visit www.facebook.com/katesmithclimbingkilimanjaro or www.gofundme.com/29fktsf6
