Melksham pharmacist’s mountainous challenge

A WOMAN from Melksham has successfully completed a challenge of a lifetime by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. 

It took six days for Ruth Emmett, who works as a pharmacist at Sainsbury’s,  Melksham, to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro – the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895 metres.

She completed the challenge with three of her friends and they were aided up the hazardous mountain by two local porters. The climb was a huge personal achievement but also an opportunity to raise funds as Ruth aims to raise £1,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

“It was the most amazing experience; I am so happy I did it and if I could, I would do it again today!” she said.

“It is amazing to see how little the people have in Tanzania and how grateful and happy they are for the little things they do have. This was a real inspiration for me and added to the whole experience.

“When we arrived I was so nervous about what was ahead as you just don’t know what to expect. All I could do is prepare as well as I could and try my best. The climb itself was unbelievably hard. Physically I felt ok but the exhaustion from lack of sleep and the cold made it almost unbearable. It’s amazing how much the altitude can affect you and the last 200m to the summit was a real struggle. I can see how so many people get ill on the journey and even two people died while we were there.

“However, I would recommend it to anyone who is thinking of giving the climb a go.”

Following the climb Ruth visited a local orphanage called Upendo Artist Association where she hopes to return in March 2014 with as many children’s clothes as possible.

To sponsor Ruth for successfully completing her Kilimanjaro challenge visit her Just Giving page www.justgiving.com/ruth-emmett.