Scaling Mount Snowdon once is enough for most people but two paramedics from Birmingham are preparing to walk up (and down!) the mountain seven times in seven days for charity.
Amanda Hill and Kay Alexander, based in Rubery, will be walking up Mount Snowdon in Wales via the Llanberis route for seven consecutive days from Friday 7th July with their final ascent planned on Thursday 13th July.
The duo decided on the charity walk whilst at the top of the same mountain last year and are hoping to raise £1,500 each for two charities close to their hearts. A close friend of Amanda’s has Neuroendocrine Tumours, a currently incurable cancer, and is raising money for Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham who are funding NET research. Kay’s little boy Alex was born with a critical heart condition and is raising money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital where Alex received life-saving treatment. 47-year-old Amanda, from Kidderminster, said:
“About three years ago my friend was diagnosed with NET. After the initial shock and all the treatments, scans and tests, fundraising began in the family. I want to help the cause and decided to climb Snowdon seven times in seven days to help raise money for NET research in the hope that, one day, a cure will be found for this type of cancer.
I am doing this for Dave, his family and other patients who suffer from this cancer. Kay and I have been training together ahead of our seven days and, with support from our friends and family, we each hope to raise our target of £1,500 and summit Snowdon seven times in one piece!”
Kay added: “I got told that my new born baby would need surgery on his heart when he was just one day old. We got transferred to the Birmingham Children's Hospital and, six days later Alex had open heart surgery which took many nail biting hours and afterwards, spent many days on the paediatric intensive care unit. You would never know to look at him that he went through such amazing surgery.
"If it wasn't for the brilliant teams at the hospital he wouldn't be here now. I owe them his life, so for that I'm doing these fundraising walks and supporting my friend Amanda. We’re looking forward to the challenge ahead and know that we’ll motivate each other to get to the finish line. Thanks to everyone for their donations so far.”
As well as seeking donations, the due are being joined by several colleagues for one summit to help raise even more money.
To donate towards NET, you can visit Amanda's Just Giving page or text 'JLUA57' plus the amount you wish to donate (for example, '£5') to 70070. If you'd like to donate towards Birmingham Children's Hospital, you can visit Kay's Just Giving page or you can text 'KAYA47' plus the amount you want to donate, to 70070.
