Kilimanjaro climb in aid of armed forces charity

Yvonne Pickering.

A Rochdale council worker is preparing to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for armed forces charity 'Help for Heroes'.

Yvonne Pickering is hoping to reach the summit of the Tanzanian mountain in March next year and raise thousands for the charity, which aids servicemen and women, and their families, who have given the ultimate sacrifice around the world.

The funds raised will go towards building specialist rehabilitation centres for troops to help them to rebuild their lives.

Ms Pickering said: "I have a personal connection in that my son and many of his friends from our home town in Rochdale have also served their country in these conflicts. They have friends who have not come home and friends who have been injured. These young men and women deserve to be treated with respect. Without them doing the job they do the world would be a much worse place.

"This is my way of saying thankyou and applying myself to a significant challenge in order to raise funds for the wounded."

She has been training hard since taking up the challenge and has so far the Fairfield Horseshoe in Cumbria, 3 Peaks in North Yorkshire in one day and Snowdon. She is aiming to climb Ben Nevis before the end of the year.

A fundraising evening will take place on Saturday 3 October at Milnrow Cricket Club. Tickets are priced at £5 and are available by contacting Yvonne on 07506 732559.

To donate to Yvonne's cause, visit her JustGiving page.