University staff to tackle Mount Kilimanjaro for charity
Two Bangor University employees are preparing for the trip of a lifetime in memory of a local boy killed in a road accident.
Emma Wynne-Hughes of Bangor Business School and Hazel Frost from the School of Psychology will climb Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of Hope House and the Darren Rhys Memorial Fund.
Emma and Hazel on their recent charity climb up Snowdon. The pair will now face Kilimanjaro in memory of Hazel's son
Hazel’s son Darren Rhys was killed on Boxing Day 2009 when he was struck down by a car while cycling the 10-mile trip from his job in Shrewsbury to his father’s home. Since then, Hazel has undertaken a number of fundraising activities in memory of the 18-year-old skateboarding fan, and in 2011 Bangor’s first skatepark was opened in his honour.
This latest challenge will see Emma and Hazel undertake a gruelling 5-day trek to Kilimanjaro’s summit at 5,895m above sea level, before descending again in 2 days.
The pair are currently following a strict training regime that involves hiking with loaded backpacks, going to the gym and making good use of the rugged terrain of Snowdonia. Before they face Africa’s highest peak, they will undertake tests to be sure that they are physically capable of coping with the altitude.
"Seeing the amazing way Hazel has coped in the last two years has given me the determination to take up this challenge”, says Emma, also a Senior Warden for Bangor University’s student residences. “It's the biggest challenge of my life but I'm sure it will be the most rewarding."
Emma and Hazel will start their trek on 28th July. To make a donation to Hope House in Darren’s memory, please visit http://www.justgiving.com/Hazel-Frost-and-Emma-Wynne-Hughes
Publication date: 5 March 2012