WOMAN DIES ON CHARITY KILIMANJARO CLIMB
A CORK woman undertaking a charity climb on Mount Kilimanjaro has tragically died.
Majella Duffy, from Rathcormac, had travelled to Tanzania to raise funds for the Irish Heart Foundation, in honour of her late father, who had heart disease and died at the age of 47 from a heart attack.
Majella, who was a competitive bodybuilder and fitness enthusiast, worked at Laya Healthcare in Little Island, Cork, for almost 10 years had created a gofundme page for the trip, where she discussed her reasons for wanting to climb the mountain, which is the highest in Africa.
“I’m inspired by the work of the Irish Heart Foundation and I wanted to support them by raising money. I will be climbing Kilimanjaro in July, a golf classic in June of this year and other fundraisers.
“I lost my dad who was only 47 years old to a massive heart attack 15 years ago... My entire life turned upside down in just a few minutes and was never going to be the same again.”
A spokesperson for the group trekking in Kilimanjaro confirmed the news of Majella’s tragic death on Sunday, saying, “An Irish woman aged 35 died on Kilimanjaro on July 14, 2017. She died of unknown causes while being treated by a doctor at the scene. “Our thoughts and condolences are with her family.” Donal Clancy, Managing Director at Laya Healthcare said, “Everyone here is devastated by the news. She was such a lovely person and had lots of friends in the company.
“Majella will be dearly missed by everyone, We’d like to extend our heartfelt condolences to all her family, friends and loved ones at this sad time,” he added.
It is believed that Majella became unwell at an altitude of roughly 4,000 metres and died on the mountainside.