After days of battling altitude sickness, diarrhoea, physical exertion, and extreme temperatures, Rowcroft Hospice’s CEO Mark Hawkins has reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, raising nearly £3,000 for the hospice.
Guided by experienced sherpas and sleeping in basic huts, Mark took on the Marangu route – known for its steepness and speed of ascent – to hike to the top of the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895 metres.
Following just over three days of trekking, he reached the summit on Wednesday 12 June in what he called the toughest challenge of his life.
“It was gruelling but I wanted to do it because of the cost-of-living crisis and the impact that it’s had on Rowcroft,” said Mark. “I feel it’s important to lead by example in raising valuable funds for the hospice.
“I forget how many times I was sick over the five-day trek and had diarrhoea on the final climb, but bodies are amazingly resilient with the mind powering over matter. I am just so delighted to have raised so much money for such a special charity.
“It is the most arduous thing I have ever done but also one of the most rewarding. Thank you to everyone for the amazing support and generosity in helping to raise thousands of pounds to care for patients with life-limiting illnesses across South Devon.”
With Mark funding the 85km expedition personally, all donations received will go directly to Rowcroft Hospice to support the charity’s essential services and patient care.
To make a donation, go to Mark’s Just Giving page at: www.justgiving.com/page/mark-hawkins-1711132840409
If you’d like to take on a challenge for the hospice, please email hayley.townsend@rowcrofthospice.org.uk or call 01803 217450, or you can find out aboutwingwalking and skydiving challenges on Rowcroft’s website at
www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk/challenges
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Photo caption: Rowcroft Hospice’s CEO Mark Hawkins (pictured right) conquers summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and raises nearly £3000 for the hospice.
About Rowcroft Hospice
It takes time, compassion, medical expertise and money to help patients with life-limiting illnesses and their loved ones to make the most of every day, but every year Rowcroft Hospice helps around 2,500 people in South Devon to do just that.
By providing comfort, support and specialist services, the hospice enables families to share precious and joyful moments when they are needed most – whether it’s a beautiful wedding, remarkable reunion, simple thank you or gentle cuddle.
From Dartmouth to Dawlish and up onto Dartmoor, Rowcroft cares for 80% of its patients in their own homes with a team of community nurse specialists, social workers, and bereavement volunteers. The team also provides occupational therapy, physiotherapy, complementary therapy, spiritual care and music therapy, delivering a holistic approach tailored to individual needs.
Day and night, Rowcroft’s award-winning Hospice at Home team provide free specialist support to patients at home in their last few of weeks of life. The team helps to monitor and manage symptoms to enable patients to be comfortable and also offers support for loved ones, enabling carers to take much needed breaks. The service includes a dedicated telephone support line 24 hrs a day.
In Rowcroft’s 12-bedded Inpatient Unit in Torquay, the hospice’s team provides specialist care for patients whose complex needs cannot be met at home. Along with high quality health and social care, we also offer delicious homecooked meals and access to our beautiful gardens. The welcoming and homely environment helps patients and families to make the most of precious time together.
Rowcroft is an independent charity with around 75% of its funding derived from the incredible generosity of local people. The hospice team fully acknowledges the currentchallenging economic climate and is grateful for the local community’s continued support through these tough times; every pound raised makes a real difference.
With an increasingly ageing local population, the demand for Rowcroft’s care has never been greater. The charity currently cares for around one in three people with life-limiting illnesses across South Devon and has ambitious plans to expand its care to reach more people.
For more information, please visit www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk
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