Estate man facing 19,000ft challenge (From Craven Herald)

Estate man facing 19,000ft challenge

6:00pm Thursday 13th September 2012 in News

Hiker Martin Hartley has a towering challenge ahead.

He is planning to climb to the 5,896m (19,340ft) high permanent ice cap of Kilimanjaro’s summit to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The route will take Martin past breathtaking scenery from lush rain forest to barren scree slopes and to the summit of ice cliffs and glaciers.

“This will be one of the most challenging things I have ever done,” said Martin, who lives in Bolton Abbey and works at the estate office.

“There will be lots of steep climbs and hard treks and I’ll also have to contend with the effects of being at high altitude.

“I will be spurred on through every step knowing that the money I raise will help people who are facing the far greater challenge of living with cancer.”

He said he had decided to take on the 10-day challenge – which started today (Thursday, September 13) – as a tribute to the amazing work done by Macmillan and in memory of a work colleague who died from cancer.

The money will be used to help fund specialist Macmillan nurses and doctors, build vitally needed cancer care centres and give financial help to those who need it most.

Anyone interested in sponsoring Martin should visit his fundraising website at justgiving.com/Martin-Hartley or call in at the Estate Office.