This week a triple amputee and a local businesswoman will scale Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for charity.
Alex Reid and Lisa Morton will climb to the summit of Africa’s tallest mountain for Reid’s charity – The Standing Tall Foundation.
The Standing Tall Foundation was created after Reid was attacked by the Taliban while on patrol in Afghanistan.
After the explosion Reid had to undergo surgery to amputate both legs and an arm – if Reid completes the climb he will become the first ever triple amputee to scale the volcano.
The charity strives to help those who are struggling with mental and physical health as well as addiction.
The funds raised will allow the charity to provide services free of charge to those who need them most.
Reid said: “Every step we take up Mount Kilimanjaro is one step towards raising funds that would save someone’s life but it’s not all about the money. It’s about raising awareness.”
Services provided by the charity allow those in need to get access to help without having to wait on the NHS – which in some cases can be up to two years.
Lisa Morton will be taking on the 19,340 ft tall mountain alongside her son and colleagues from PR company Roland Dransfield.
Morton wanted to take on a challenge in 2022 and when finding out about Reid’s climb she knew this was the challenge she wanted to face.
She has been training tirelessly in the city centre with a personal trainer to prepare for the climb although now the enormity of the task ahead has dawned on her.
Morton said: “I think it will be a mental challenge as well as a physical. I do have moments of anxiety thinking about it.”
Alex Reid said: “Every step we take up Mount Kilimanjaro is one step towards raising funds that would save someone’s life but it’s not all about the money. It’s about raising awareness.”
So far £20,380 has been raised via the charity’s Just Giving page which is edging them very close to their £25,000 target.
You can donate to the cause on their GoFund me page https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/roland-dransfield-kilimanjaro
Image: Alex Reid MBE and Lisa Morton
