Hikers scale new heights for local hospice care

A team from Letchworth's much-loved Garden House Hospice Care has scaled the heights of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, raising thousands of pounds for local hospice care.

The team of Farah Thompson, Katie Harbon, Chris Whybrow and Richard Harbon teamed up with a group from Isabel Hospice in Welwyn Garden City to scale the mountain (5,895 metres). In doing so they raised more than £26,000 for the Letchworth-based hospice.

Every member of the team reached the summit, overcoming challenges such as high altitude, the Barranco Wall - otherwise known as the 'Death Wall' - and a range of terrain from rainforest to desert. 

Farah said, "I found the trip completely unique and a roller coaster of emotions that included: challenge and triumph, difficulty and joy, laughter and lack of sleep, gratitude and tears, personal determination and team effort.

"I loved the opportunity to experience all the environments that Kilimanjaro had to offer along the route and just being in such a special place."

Richard, Katie, Farah and Chris at Barafu Camp during their ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro

The trekkers were supported during the seven-day trek by a team of local Tanzanian porters and guides who were amazing in the support they gave, including sourcing all the water for the trek from local rivers on the mountain.

Chris explained, "It was by far the toughest physical challenge I have undertaken but it was equally the most rewarding I have completed.

"I was able to share this experience with a wonderful group of people who came together to support two fantastic charities."

Garden House Hospice Care provides free specialist palliative care for patients, families and carers facing life limiting illnesses from across North Hertfordshire, Stevenage and towns and villages in Central Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire, serving a population of around 230,000 people - with the funds raised going towards supporting the incredible work the Letchworth-based hospice does in our community.

Richard Harbon, Products and Events Manager at the Letchworth-based Hospice, added: "The whole trip was a great experience and it was just brilliant to complete it with my daughter, Katie, too.

"She expressed it perfectly by saying it was one of the hardest but most enjoyable things she has ever done.

To learn more about the many varied fundraising and challenge events at the hospice, please email [email protected] or visit www.ghhospicecare.org.uk. 

Garden House Hospice Care and Isabel Hospice joined forces for this trip of a lifetime