Grandma Jean climbs mountain for family charity
Grandmother Jean Neale was so determined to raise money for her chosen charity, that last month, together with her husband Bill, she put on her walking boots and made the gruelling ascent up three mile high Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
Jean, a former HR Officer for Dorset County Council, explained: “I’m a trustee for Home-Start West Dorset, which offers friendship and support for families. It primarily aims at families with children under 5 years old who need some help because they are going through a difficult time for whatever reason.”
“As a mother and a grandmother, I know very well how parenthood doesn’t always go smoothly. Not everyone is fortunate to have family and friends who can help them when times are tough. This is where Home-Start West Dorset is invaluable, with trained volunteers who can offer specific support tailored to each family’s needs for as long as they need it.”
Jean added: “Funding is getting harder and harder to get these days. Fundraising is a necessity in order for the charity to keep going; I was determined to do something that really stood out to raise awareness and money. It costs approximately £1200 to support a family for twelve months. Last year we helped 48 families in the West Dorset area and we hope to help more next year; our fundraising will mean Home-Start can continue to help get young children off to a better start in life.”
Climbing a mountain 5,895m above sea level is no easy task for anyone, but Jean and Bill weren’t going to let their 64 years of age hold them back and they trained hard for the expedition. As well as risking mountain sickness because of the high altitude, Jean and Bill also had to endure extremes of temperature ranging from 25°C in the day to well below zero at night.
Family obviously means a lot to Jean, who revealed her secret that helped her on the demanding 8 day trek:
“I kept thinking of my two lovely granddaughters Rosie who is 8, and Alice who is 6. Rosie had drawn us a good luck picture saying ‘Good luck Grandma and Grandad. Hope you do well in the walk. Just remember that montin is huge and your climbing it’(sic). I kept the picture in my inside jacket pocket and kept looking at it on the ascent. It definitely kept me going. “
“Even though it was the most gruelling thing I’ve ever done, it was well worth the effort.”
Jean and Bill have raised £450 so far on their Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/Jean-Neale and continue to welcome donations.
If you would like to help Home-Start West Dorset or would like to find out more, please call Helen or Gemma on 01305 755608 or visit www.homestartwestdorset.co.uk
