Earlier this month, Beverley Walsh, one of our Directors at Elara, took on one of the world’s most demanding physical and emotional challenges: climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.
Alongside a committed team raising funds for Prevent Breast Cancer, Bev successfully reached the summit of Africa’s highest peak, standing at a staggering 5,756 metres, after six gruelling days on the mountain.
What began as a personal challenge quickly became something much bigger. For Bev, this climb was about remembrance and showing what’s possible when people come together for a cause that matters.
Reaching the summit
The climb itself was relentless, but also beautiful. Trekking through stunning landscapes with breathtaking views, and enjoying camp life alongside her team, the hike quickly became an experience of a lifetime.
Summit day started at midnight, with head torches lighting a steep, rocky path. With just three hours of sleep and 14 hours of walking ahead, Bev and the team faced altitude sickness as the air grew thinner with every step they took.
Pushing through, Bev said “In those times I heard my mum, Cliff, Alfie and Harry in my head telling me “Come on Bev, you can do it”, and that’s what kept me moving forward.”
With that mental motivation, they eventually made it to the famous Stella Point, 5,756 metres high in the skies.
Why Bev tackled Kilimanjaro
After the loss of two close friends, Julie and Louise, to breast cancer, Bev felt it had taken too much from the people she cared about and was ready to act.
With a determination to raise as much money as possible for Prevent Breast Cancer, a charity committed to finding new ways of detecting the early signs of the disease, Bev decided to take on the earth’s mightiest challenge: Mount Kilimanjaro.
Her initial fundraising aimed for a target of £5,000, money that would help to fund vital research in breast cancer prediction, prevention and early diagnosis. Bev’s fundraising and pure grit inspired the masses and that target was quickly exceeded, reaching over £10,700 when she finished the climb, doubling her original aim.
The team she hiked with raised a total of over £80,000 for Prevent Breast Cancer – an incredible achievement. This went to support the new breast screening in The Nightingale Centre in Wythenshawe Hospital.