Burnley man achieves mountainous feat
A BURNLEY man is feeling on top of the world after scaling Africa's highest peak for charity.
Marc Fretwell (26) of Castlerigg Drive, Ightenhill, trekked 19,340ft. to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, raising more than 7,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
The policy support officer for Lancashire County Council decided to undergo the challenge with colleague Tony Kayley from Preston because his mother Janice Fretwell was diagnosed with cancer in 2003.
"It was the hardest thing I've ever done. The trek was as much a mental as a physical challenge, and probably the best and worst week of my life. I'm a reasonably fit person – I go to the gym and play football – but climbing Kilimanjaro was a real slog. It took us four days to go up and two days to come down.
"I have raised money in the past for cancer charities because of my mum's experiences. She still receives treatment but she is doing okay at the moment."
Marc kept a diary during the trek which detailed the highs – and lows – of the gruelling trek which took in everything from altitude sickness to eating ice. His trusty Clarets scarf also kept him warm climbing to the summit.
"Ninety minutes into the climb on day five, it became clear just how difficult this day would be. Already my legs felt like they were made of lead and the lack of oxygen meant I had the breathing capacity of one lung. Cruelly, the more tired we became, the steeper the incline became.
"We finally reached the summit at 7-20 a.m. on the fifth day. This was a marked by a wooden sign and awe inspiring views into the volcano's crater and onto the glacier at the other side, overlooking the entirety of Africa.
"I'm glad I did it but I'd never do it again. If anyone wants to put their body and mind through one of the most intense challenges possible, climb Mount Kilimanjaro."
To help Marc raise even more money visit www.justgiving.com/teamcountymanjaro.
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Saturday 25 May 2013
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