Burnley man conquers Africa's highest peak for charity (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Burnley man conquers Africa's highest peak for charity
1:00pm Saturday 16th February 2013 in News
A BURNLEY man is feeling on top of the world - after conquering Africa's highest peak for charity.
James McDonough, 28, scaled Mount Kilimanjaro with eight work colleagues from Daisy Communications, based in Lindred Road Business Park, Nelson.
Along with climbing partners Martin Wright, Steven Horne, Charlotte Pitman, Shaun Clews, Deborah Race, Lee Wright, John Chyriwsky and Rob Tattersall, James has now raised almost £4,000 for various charities including Pendleside Hospice.
The Hospice holds a special place in James’ heart as his uncle, Robert, was treated there until his death in February 2008.
The 5,895m climb took the group six days, and James admitted he was delirious in more ways than one when he reached the summit.
The project manager said: “I can’t really remember much about being at the top. I know I was pleased, but I think I just felt sick.
“The fourth and fifth day of the walk were the hardest. We were getting up at midnight and walking for 17 hours, suffering from altitude sickness and a lack of food and water.
“It was 40 degrees during the day and -10 at night so we had to deal with both extremes.”
James has previously raised money for the Hospice by completing The National Three Peaks Challenge and a coast-to-coast cycle.
He said: “This was a totally different kind of preparation than those events.
“We has a special fitness plan drawn up by Liam Carney at Bodysyke gym in Harle Syke, but I wish I’d done a bit more training to be honest.
“It was really difficult but I’d definitely recommend it. I’m looking forward to an even bigger challenge now, but I can’t imagine there are many.”
Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, is the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
The former Barden Primary School pupil hopes to reach his fundraising target of £5,000. Donations can be made by searching for Daisy Difference on Virgin’s Moneygiving website.
