Kilimanjaro climbers raise money for deaf charity

Feb. 14, 2013 - PRLog -- The challenge was organised by Destiny of a Child, a non-profit making charity which supports cochlear implantation for profoundly deaf children and physically disabled children and Aids orphans in the UK, France and Tanzania.

The two intrepid explorers have just returned from a 5,895 metre (19,340 feet) climb up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Kilimanjaro is the highest free standing mountain in the world, the highest point in Africa and approximately five times the height of Ben Nevis, the highest point in Britain.

They made it to the summit after five hard days trekking, as Richard explains: ““This was the hardest challenge I have ever done. The climb to the top was so difficult, I felt like someone was standing on my chest! But the experience was amazing and I am so glad that I have been able to raise money for The Ear Foundation. This is what kept me going – that I am continuing to help The Ear Foundation provide their great services to deaf children and adults.”

Deborah had trekked the Himalayas before, but walking the Annapurna circuit which has the Thoruna La pass at its highest point, and Kilimanjaro was 479 metres higher than she had ever walked before.

Archbold, Chief Executive of The Ear Foundation says: “They have done an amazing feat and we are all so proud and thankful to them for their support and for helping to raise funds. Their efforts will go a long way towards this year’s major fundraising drive to raise the £0.7m we need to erect a new building to expand our services to help deaf adults and children make the most of today’s amazing hearing technology.”

Donations can still be made to Richard and Deborah’s Just Giving pages at these links http://www.justgiving.com/Lordyskiliclimb or http://www.justgiving.com/DebHall-supportingTheEarFoundation

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

The Ear Foundation was founded in 1989 by surgeon Gerry O’Donoghue, audiological scientist Barry McCormick and teacher of the deaf Sue Archbold to fund and provide cochlear implants and demonstrate their benefit in children, recognising the devastating effects that deafness in childhood and adulthood has on language and communication developments.

Destiny of a Child was established in February 2002 and is managed on a voluntary basis by Annie Martin. Annie had the idea of setting up the charity after a conversation with Francois, her godchild, who had received a cochlear implant at the age of three. After speaking with Francois on the telephone for the first time, Annie appreciated the marvellous results of his cochlear implant. She decided that she would like to help other children with the same condition.

As the charity has grown, Destiny of a Child has decided to expand from the original objective of helping deaf children and is now also raising money for other charities in UK, France and Tanzania.

For further media information please contact: Louise Esplin, Esplin PR, Tel: 01235 850538. Mob: 07775 678237 Email: louise@esplinrpr.co.uk