BUSINESS WOMAN IN FINAL WEEKS BEFORE CHARITY KILIMANJARO TREK
Local businesswoman Rachel Hargrave is now only weeks away from beginning her journey to scale the world’s highest freestanding mountain in aid of Leicester Charity Link. Rachel has managed to raise £380 so far but is planning a final push of fundraising before the trek begins on the 14th September.
Rachel, managing director and founder of The Phoenix Partners, a brand, design and PR agency based in Sileby, will travel to Tanzania to carry out a twelve day climb. The route will culminate in views from the Uhuru Peak which at 5895m is the highest point in Africa.
Commenting on the challenges and risks ahead, Rachel said: “Mountain sickness can strike anyone at anytime, but it didn’t hit me when I trekked to Everest Base Camp so I’m reasonably confident. I have a mountain to climb, but boy am I going to do it! It’s all about getting into the zone as it’s the last bit that’s the slog and scrambling up scree can be soul destroying at the best of times let alone when you’ve been trekking since midnight!.
“But the challenge that I will face is no less than a lot of people face every day of their lives as a result of poverty, family break ups or loss.”
The Lemosho route Rachel will be taking is one of the least trekked. It approaches Kilimanjaro from the west and crosses the caldera of Shira Volcano before traversing beneath the southern icefields of Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s highest volcano.
In 2007 Rachel trekked to Everest base camp and already has her sights on completing another of the world’s seven highest summits next year when she takes on Mount Elbrus. Her big ambition is to complete the seven summits over the next 7 years – one mountain a year.
For every £10 donation the Charity raises £50 from charitable trusts. A donation of just £10 provides £50 worth of food vouchers or a donation of £20 can buy a bed for a child to sleep in. In 2010 Leicester Charity Link raised over £724,000, changing the lives of 5,495 people in desperate need throughout Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
Speaking on behalf of the charity Susan McEniff, director of marketing and fundraising, said: “We were thrilled when Rachel called to say she wanted to dedicate her walk to us. Every penny will help us to reach local people and children in desperate need and make a real difference to their quality of life.”
To support Rachel in her Kilimanjaro quest please visit www.justgiving.com/Rachel-Hargrave or for more information about Leicester Charity Link please call 0116 222 2200 or visit www.charity-link.org.