A 57-year-old woman has set off on an epic fundraising adventure to Nepal with an aim to fundraise for two charities, including Strathcarron Hospice.
Rosemary Fraser set off on 14 May to trek via Goyka Ri at 17,988 feet, then to Everest Base Camp at 17,598 feet. She will then run/walk the Tenzing-Hillary Base Camp Marathon on the 29 May.
The marathon gradient is the ascent equivalent of three Munros and decent equivalent of five Munros. Rosemary was inspired to take on the challenge for the Hospice having had friends who used Strathcarron’s services.
The Dunblane resident, said: “I have been an avid supporter of Strathcarron for some years as I understand what a wonderful service it offers people who at their most vulnerable, as well as the tremendous support it offers their families and friends.
“In the 90s a very close family friend spent her last few weeks in the Hospice and the staff were outstanding, at all times ensuring our friend was comfortable and in as homely a setting as possible whilst providing intense medical care. Around 10 years ago another good friend was in for a period of time. Again, the care was sensitive and calm.
“So many people have been touched by Strathcarron’s support over the years and it is such a valuable service. I wanted to see if I could raise a bit of money towards its running costs while on my trip.”
It is not the first time Rosemary has tackled such an adventurous feat. In November 2023 she trekked across the Moroccan Sahara and then climbed Mount Toubkal at 4167 meters (13,671 feet). She has completed 10 marathons, two ultra-marathons and the Artemis Great Kindrochit Quadrathlon at Loch Tay, which included seven Munros in a day, a swim across the loch, a 7 mile kayak and a 34 mile cycle.
However, this is the first challenge Rosemary has taken on since having a double hip replacement.
Rosemary added: “I am excited about all aspects of the trip as it is a once in a lifetime experience.
“I am looking forward to experiencing a vastly different culture; the heat and bustle of Kathmandu; the nail biting flight to Lukla Airport – one of the most dangerous on earth; being lucky enough to trek through picturesque scenery; meeting the local people; the food; finding out if my body can cope with the thinning air as the altitude increases and wondering if my two bionic hips will manage to cope!”
“The distances under normal circumstances wouldn’t be a challenge but at the height of base camp the oxygen level is down to 75% so altitude sickness can cause issues.
“I’m hoping that I can acclimatise well and the heights won’t be too dizzy. There is a fair bit of trepidation as to whether I have bitten off more than I can chew! I plan to walk most of the uneven and stony sections and run where the path is smoother.
“It will be humbling to have the experience of sleeping at base camp where so many intrepid climbers have slept before venturing up the mountain and being thoughtful of those who never came down.
“I would like to thank everyone for any support they can give – it is very much appreciated and will spur me on, whether or not I’m out of breath!”
Rosemary has self-funded the trip and all donations will be split evenly between Strathcarron Hospice and the Juniper Trust, a charity which works around the world and in conjunction with Nepal Evergreen who plan to plant 100,000 fruit trees, new rhododendrons and juniper bushes that provide shelter for the local deer and increase the biodiversity and sustainability of the region.
Strathcarron’s Community Fundraiser, Mel Duffy, said: “We would like to thank Rosemary for taking on this amazing challenge for the Hospice and wish her well on her epic adventure.
“We need £19,452 daily to provide our vital services to end of life and palliative care patients and their families when they are most in need. We receive approximately one third of our fundraising through the NHS and the rest is raised through the generosity and kindness of those like Rosemary and her supporters who fundraise and donate. Every pound is vital so we are grateful for the support.”
You can donate to Rosemary’s challenge here: https://www.justgiving.com/
To host your own fundraising challenge visit our website www.strathcarronhospice.net
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About Strathcarron Hospice
We support people across Forth Valley, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth living with a life limiting condition. We help to make every moment count for patients and their families, so that they can live well with their illness and make the most of the time they have, and when the time comes, to die well.
Strathcarron Hospice needs to raise around £116,000 a week to provide all their services, which are free to those who use them across our local communities.
As well as In- Patient and Hospice@Home care, our highly skilled multidisciplinary teams include Nursing teams, Patient and Family Support (social work), Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Pharmacist, Chaplains, Complementary Therapists, Consultants in Palliative Medicine and Specialty Doctors.
As a charity, Strathcarron Hospice is funded by the people we serve. They walk, run, cycle, jump, bake and go to many other amazing efforts to fundraise for their local Hospice. Strathcarron simply cannot continue delivering our valuable services free of charge, without the ongoing support of our communities.
With only one third of our hospice funded by the Government, we are incredibly grateful to our generous supporters who make up the significant shortfall.
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