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“Kilimanjaro truly is
something to be reckoned
with. People have died
attempting this climb.
While I can train as hard
as possible for the walk
itself, it’ll be a real test of
my mental strength too.”
This task will be the latest in a number of
challenges Francis has taken in her stride.
Ten years ago she trekked the Grand
Canyon, and is well aware of the task at
hand this time around.
“I challenge myself at milestone times in
my life,” she said.
“I trekked the Grand Canyon for my 40th
Birthday, and climbing Kilimanjaro has
always been on my bucket list.What better
reason to do it, than to raise much-needed
funds for two great causes.
“Kilimanjaro truly is something to
be reckoned with. People have died
attempting this climb.While I can train as
hard as possible for the walk itself, it’ll be a
real test of my mental strength too.”
Of course, the challenges of Kilimanjaro
are well-documented.The world’s tallest
free-standing mountain, the summit lies
some 6000 metres above sea level and
tales of success in scaling the mountain are
matched by those of sickness and medical
attention.
Despite a healthy training regime and
experience in hostile conditions, Francis
is well aware that this trek will test her
beyond any of her previous expeditions.
“This will be a 6,000 metre climb, over
seven days and nights,” she said.
“The last day will be a big one, it’ll be an
overnight climb to reach the summit.
“It’ll be no mean feat to complete the
climb, from 3000 metres the altitude really
comes into play and sickness can end the
climb.You can’t plan or train for that.
“I’ve trained for six months already, and in
September I’ll be climbing Mount Baldo
in the Italian Alps.That’ll be a stern test in
itself, and that’ll be twelve weeks to the day
from the Kilimanjaro trek.”
Baldo will prove an excellent test for
Francis on her preparations. Standing at
2,000 metres, the climb will provide an
excellent flavour for the task ahead of her.
However, no matter how much regular
training she undertakes in the run up to
the expedition, little can prepare Francis
for the hostile conditions she will face in
Tanzania.
“It’s going to be below zero every night,
and we’ll be camping,” she said.
“I suffered with vertigo during my Grand
Canyon trek, and this will be much more
intense. It’ll be a true test to my mental
attitude, there’s a lot of responsibility
involved.”
With this climb, Francis is aiming to
raise £15,000 split between theTrent
Bridge CommunityTrust and the
Nottinghamshire Cricket Board.
TheTrust encompasses a number of
schemes across the county, and £5,000
can fund a new project entirely.
“It can cover six months of a salary for a
new apprentice, or can mean funding a
junior groundsman. It can be life-changing
for young people in our communities,”
she said.
“Every penny of the money raised will
go back into delivery.TheTrent Bridge
CommunityTrust has no management or
administrative fees, so 100% of the funds
will go back to the local community.
“The money for the cricket board will go
into our project to redevelop the Pavilion
onVictoria Embankment.
“It will only be a dint into a big project, but
every little helps, and can do so much good
in our community, and go one step further
to protect the future of cricket onVictoria
Embankment for the next hundred years.”
Donate to the cause at:
Justgiving.com/TBCST
Or text:
‘TBCT99 £5’ to 70070