Fundraisers rising to mountain challenge
Two determined charity fundraisers from a Cheadle Hulme school are to climb Kilimanjaro to continue their long-term mission to support a Kenyan special school.
Derek Lowe, 60, from Davenport and Kate Mercer, 52, from whaley Bridge will form the backbone of the Greenbank Preparatory School party taking on the highest mountain in Africa.
Derek, the husband of Janet Lowe, Greenbank’s headmistress, is a regular on the mountain sides in the Lake District and Snowdonia but says he has never attempted this type of challenge, while Greenbank’s head of music Kate is an accomplished long distance walker who has already completed a succession of challenges.
They will be supporting leg amputee wendy Baardman, treasurer of the Port Reitz Special School Foundation, on the once-in-a-lifetime venture aiming to raise 20,000 euros to buy a new mini bus for the children, many of whom have been orphaned and have severe physical and mental needs.
Greenbank Preparatory School began raising funds for Port Reitz in 2011 after former pupil Harrison wood visited the Kenyan special school with his parents.
Both Derek and Kate have visited Port Reitz before on Greenbank’s annual trips to offer teaching and practical support in Kenya and both say the experience changed their lives.
Derek said: “Visiting Port Reitz Special School I was amazed by how lucky we are in this country but how often we seem to be miserable, yet how unlucky some of the children could be seen to be, but how happy and thankful they are, always smiling and laughing and a sheer delight to be around.”
Derek and Kate will be part of a 16-strong team starting their six-day ascent of the 5,860-metre peak in Tanzania on october 21 and stopping off in special mountain huts each night as they make what can be a gruelling ascent.
If you want to sponsor the team or help with the Port Reitz Foundation contact Greenbank on 0161 485 3724.