Local student sets her sights high with Mt.Kilimanjaro climb

LOCAL student, Fiona Staniforth, will be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro this summer in support of the charity Childreach International, who help deprived children around the world.

Fiona, who lives in Beanacre when she is not in Derby studying at university, held a cake sale at The George in Lacock where she raised almost £400 for the charity on Friday 26th January.

Fiona said, “This August I will be flying out to Tanzania to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro and for this I will be raising money to support the charity, Childreach International.  This charity has the belief that every child should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential in life and for this, they focus on children in deprived areas around the world such as Nepal, India, Brazil and of course Tanzania where opportunities for a child to succeed  are lacking.

“I previously experienced child poverty in 2013 when I flew out to Tanzania with GapMedics when I was  pursuing a career in nursing and it was here that  I was provided with an opportunity to experience work in a hospital in Iringa.  However, on my return, I realised I had gained so much more than just work experience. I witnessed a culture and a way of life that I had not been aware of before.  I saw first-hand the poverty that abounds in the country and restricts the people from living a free and happy life and this was exceptionally visible in the orphanage I volunteered in whilst there.

“More so in 2016, the existence of this hardship became more obvious in countries other than Africa when I visited Panama.  Childreach International provides things for people in developing countries that we in developed countries take for granted.   Therefore from this past experience, and having met the people typical that this charity could benefit from, I have become passionate in this cause and take on this challenge with a great deal of enthusiasm.

“Just  £3 gives a child in India a lifesaving vaccine, £10 can develop crucial IT skills for 188 children and £50 provides 20 new mothers with fundamental maternal healthcare.

“The benefits to me gained will obviously be life-changing, but more importantly, the money I raise will help in ensuring that a huge number of children around the world will have a life worth living. I believe children need to be safe, healthy and above all, free.”

If you would like to help Fiona with her fundraising journey, you can donate at https://mydonate.bt.com/ fundraisers/fionastaniforth.