LUNGES, walks and core strength exercises….
This is just a day in the life of Child’s i Foundation’s dedicated supporter Rachael McCool, who is taking on Mt Kilimanjaro later this month.
Rachel, who lives in Hesltington, York, said she has “dragged various people up mountains” around England and Wales, and hit the gym in preparation for her challenge of a lifetime.
Super supporter Rachael McCool
Rachael got involved with the climb after reading an appeal for climbers to take on one of the world’s highest mountains for Child’s i Foundation.
Her fundraising has exceeded her expectations, and the money is still rolling in.
She will start her climb on July 29.
Rachael said: “I’m currently breaking in my second pair of boots after going out in the rain in the first pair and finding out they weren’t really very waterproof after all. Sleeping bag….check., appropriate walking clothes….check, bag big enough to fit in so if my legs fall off I can jump in and get taken the rest of the way up….check!!
“I’m so excited. It’s such a huge thing for me. I can’t believe how soon it is. It has all been a bit overwhelming and doesn’t seem entirely real. I think it’ll hit me when I get to Tanzania.”
Rachael, studied psychology at York University, and now works as a research assistant at the York Health Economics Consortium.
She said she has been “completely blown away” by the support and generosity of friends and family and “couldn’t be more grateful”. She added: “Lucy has a lot to be proud of with Child’s I foundation and my best efforts would have been in vain were they not for such a wonderful, worthwhile charity and cause.
“My parents and family have been canvassing in my home town and have done a wonderful job and there have been donations from the most unexpected people and places.”
Rachael would like to visit the Malaika Babies Home in Kampala, Uganda, next year, saying it would be “like icing on the cake” for her incredible efforts.
To sponsor Rachael, visit www.justgiving.com/Rachael-McCool
