Student to reach new heights for charity
AN ARGYLL student is preparing for the trip - and challenge - of a lifetime when she treks to Everest base camp for charity.
It all started when Rose Richmond, from Carradale, saw a poster in her university: ‘It was quite random. I had been thinking I want to do something and came across the poster. I went to a meeting and signed up,’ explained Rose.
The group of Stirling University students are raising money for Childreach International which works in a number of countries including Nepal which was devastated by an earthquake a year ago. Rose said: ‘It’s good to do something for a smaller charity. Childreach has built 15 schools since the earthquake. We’re going to visit one for a bit of inspiration before we start the trek.’
‘I’m really excited, but nervous too. Sometimes I think I forget how big it is,’ Rose admits. The trip will take her 5,600 metres above sea level, following the route of many explorers. Exhaustion and altitude sickness are just two challenges she and the other students may face on the mountain.
Fitness
The trip means Rose needs to be in tip-top fitness and she has been training: ‘I’m lucky, I’m back from university now and there’s great forestry tracks at the back of my house. I’ve also done strength training as we’ll be carrying most of our kit, but yaks will carry the heaviest things.’
The trip will take place from August 16 to September 9. The group will spend a few days in Nepal after the trek to recover and explore.
Rose needs to raise £2,895 for the charity and is well on her way to doing so following donations and a recent coffee morning held in Tarbert.
The event took place on May 28 and coincided with the Scottish series being held in the town. Rose and a team of helpers took advantage of visitors being in town by offering a yacht-to-yacht cake service for hungry sailors.
There were two raffles with plenty prizes for.
One, for a signed print by artist John Lowrie Morrison, was won by Jenny MacLeod.
The event brought Rose £763 closer to her target and she is now close to reaching it.
Rose is raising money until June 21 and you can donate at mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/everestchallengerose