From Inverness to Kilimanjaro: Why are this nursing and midwifery expert duo scaling Africa's highest peak?
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Two members of staff from the Department of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of the Highlands of Islands (UHI) are to climb Kilimanjaro for charity.
Dr Michelle Beattie, who lectures in nursing and Professor Trish Gorely, who lectures in physical activity, will trek up the dormant volcano on July 1 to raise money for Parkinson’s UK.
Mount Kilimanjaro is located in Tanzania and is Africa’s highest peak and reaches more than 19,000ft in height.
Dr Beattie said: “Training has been hard going, especially fitting it in between full-time work and family. Physically we are in the best shape we can be and now it’s just about our bodies responding to the altitude. We’ve been up a hill every weekend, up a Munro, running at lunch time and in breaks, whenever we can fit it in.”
Dr Beattie and Prof Gorely chose to fundraise for Parkinson’s UK because Dr Beattie has two relatives who have the condition.
Dr Beattie stated: “They and many others live with the challenging symptoms of Parkinson’s every day and there is currently no cure.
“The least I could do was face the challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro.”
Dr Beattie and Prof Gorely will trek over nine days up Kilimanjaro. They plan to celebrate their climb by going on a safari trip afterwards.
Dr Beattie added: “I am definitely excited but also terrified and nervous. Trish is more excited.
“It will be an adventure.”
They have already hit their £1000 fundraising target, with more than £1200 in donations. Click here to add to the total.
