A WOMAN from Melksham is training to climb Mount Kilimanjaro despite having open heart surgery earlier this year.
Rebecca Taylor, 20, will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in September 2014 to raise money for the charity Hope For Children.
She needs to raise £2,990 to be able to complete the climb and has so far been sponsored close to £500. Rebecca is a student at Bournemouth University and will be climbing to the Uhuru Peak of the mountain with around 30 other students. Rebecca said, “The open heart surgery shouldn’t hold me back as doctors have said I should be able to do things like any other person. I think the hardest aspect will be the altitude sickness as well as the physical side of the challenge, such as walking for six days straight or having next to no sleep. I chose this challenge as I joined the ‘Raising and Giving’ (RAG) society at Bournemouth university. I joined it because I wanted to fundraise for a charity who helped disadvantaged children. When I chose my challenge I chose Kilimanjaro because that challenge fundraises for Hope For Children. I have nephews, a niece and younger brothers, and to know that there are children their ages or even younger suffering isn’t right. I have never done anything like this before. It’s beyond a new level for me, I feel pretty crazy for entertaining the idea of climbing a mountain. There is no specific training yet but I am in the gym training for it already, which is a new experience in itself for me.”
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!
“We support Becky who has swapped her high heels for walking boots, a bed for a tent and real food for rations. What a great personal challenge. You can do this! Becky needs as much as possible, even just a pound, a little can make a difference! I’ve donated, have you?”
To sponsor Rebecca visit her personal fundraising page www.2014bournemouth.everydayhero.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