A MELKSHAM woman who is set to climb Mount Kilimanjaro later this year despite recently having open heart surgery is encouraging local school children to fundraise.
Rebecca Taylor, a former Broughton Gifford Primary School pupil returned to her former school to talk about her upcoming climb in September. She explained about the charity Hope for Children who she is fundraising for and how they can get involved in fundraising at an upcoming sponsored swim organised for the pupils.
The children will attend Melksham Blue Pool on Thursday 13th March and will get sponsored for each length they complete, with the money raised going to Hope for Children who help orphaned, poor, exploited and other marginalised children in developing countries and in the UK. Rebecca is now a student at Bournemouth University and will be climbing to the Uhuru Peak of the mountain with around 30 other students. Rebecca said, “The children all seemed really enthusiastic to raise money. I think it meant something to them to be able to raise money for children the same age as them. I think it is a great challenge for them to do and give them more of an awareness on the fact that there are children less fortunate than themselves in the UK and across the world.
“For my own climb in September I have managed to raise just under £1500 which is half of my target. The funds I actually needed to do the climb have been met and anything that is raised now will go towards Hope for Children. I have really stepped up my training and go to the gym all the time so I can be as well prepared as possible.”
Rebecca’s friend Simone Partner has set up a blog regarding the trek. She said, “Becky is a humble individual with a huge heart whose story will leave you feeling inspired.
“In February 2013, Becky underwent major heart surgery for a hole which made her heart three times bigger. This increased pressure which inevitably caused her to suffer two strokes. She was only 19. As you can imagine, she never thought a year from her surgery she would be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for charity!
To sponsor Rebecca visit her personal fundraising page www.2014bournemouth.everyday hero.com/uk/rebec ca or for more information visit Simone’s blog at www.eltoriasecrets.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/heart-surgery-patient-climbs. html
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