Kendal woman's challenging climb for hospital charity (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Kendal woman's challenging climb for hospital charity

5:20pm Monday 15th February 2010

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

A KENDAL woman endured hallucinations, blisters and extreme temperatures to raise thousands of pounds for a hospital charity.

Former Kirkbie Kendal student Danielle Frazer climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of the cancer unit at the Christie Hospital in Manchester.

Miss Frazer decided to raise money for the hospital after a close friend was treated in the young oncology unit.

At 5,895 metres above sea level and with an oxygen-starved summit at Uhuru Point, the seven-day trek was a major test of endurance for the 20-year-old coaching development student.

“The first four days were fine but then it got tougher,” she said. “As the climb started I started to experience altitude sickness then hallucinations of rats. I’d just see something dart across in front of me but we were warned that might happen.

“I also kept falling asleep. My guide kept nudging me to keep me awake and encouraging me to keep going.”

Along the way Miss Frazer enjoyed a quick nibble of Kendal Mint Cake, which she shared with two American’s on the trip who had never had it before.

“The guides knew what it was because they see a lot of people bringing it with them,” she said.

Sponsorship has so far raised £1,500 for the charity, while a raffle and auction at Kendal’s Riverside Hotel on her return added another £2,500 to the pot with prizes provided by many Kendal businesses.

When not at university in Liverpool, Miss Frazer works part time at The Sanctuary Health and Fitness club at the hotel, which she said had been very supportive of her challenge.

“A big thanks to all who helped me with their support and guidance,” she said.

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)