Student to climb Kilimanjaro in aid of hospice

Lucy Newton

A keen fundraiser is taking on the challenge of a life time to raise funds for Springhill Hospice in Rochdale.

Lucy Newton, 19, from Shaw, sets off on her epic journey to Africa tomorrow, the place she will call home for the next month.

For the first week of the trip, the Warwick University Law student will face a gruelling five day climb of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Lucy explained why she is doing the trip and why she picked Springhill Hospice as her chosen charity.

“In October there were flyers up at university advertising the opportunity to do the climb, I have paid to take part but then I was asked to choose a charity for my sponsorship money to go to.

“I chose the hospice because my sister volunteers there at weekends and I often see what they are doing when I go to pick her up. I think it is a really worth while cause and I feel I have a close link with my sister volunteering there.”

The climb will be by no means easy, but Lucy, who suffered from Pneumonia about 18 months ago, is determined not to give up.

“I have been told that only half the people who go complete the climb because others get ill and suffer altitude sickness. This does worry me because I don’t want to go all that way and fail.”

Lucy added: “I am quite stubborn so would try and work through any sickness.”

So far, Lucy has raised £1,000 but aims to keep the fundraising going for the rest of the summer.

“It is quite hard to get sponsorship from people especially because I haven’t even done it yet so I hope once people have seen that I have completed it they will be kind enough to sponsor me,” Lucy added.

Lucy has been doing lots of running to get fit enough for the climb.

“I am crazy, I know I am but I think it will be so worth it, I am really looking forward to it,” she added.

After the climb Lucy will be spend time teaching at schools in Africa.

Springhill Hospice Fundraising Manager, Ian Jenkins said: “I am delighted that Lucy is going to such great lengths to raise funds for the hospice as every little helps.”

If you would like to sponsor Lucy visit: http://www.justgiving.com/lucyclimbskili