Thames Boat Owner Climbs Kilimanjaro
Thames Boat Owner Climbs Kilimanjaro to Support Fellow Berth Holder
MDL Marinas berth holder, 65-year old Alan Shave, is celebrating after completing his latest challenge, to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for pancreatic cancer in support of a fellow Penton Hook Marina berth holder.
Alan took on the amazing challenge for his friend Clem Holland, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Clem was keen to take on some kind of initiative to raise funds for charity but was too weak so Alan, in a fantastic gesture, offered to climb Mount Kilimanjaro on his behalf, but with one condition – that when he returned Clem would be there to welcome him home.
Alan commented: “Clem and I met at Penton Hook Marina where we share the same pontoon. We really hit it off, having the same interests and we both love a good challenge. It’s my pleasure to take on this fantastic challenge for my friend and I hope I’m able to raise as much money as I can for our chosen charities.”
After climbing for five and half days with a cold and severe altitude sickness Alan reached 5,400m at 3am, just a few hours short of the summit. His body had failed to acclimatise sufficiently and he started to become unconscious. The doctor assessed his condition and ordered a fast descent to base camp. Alan was carrying an MDL branded flag and he made the doctor promise that he would get it to the summit. At 7am on Friday 26th February 2016 the MDL flag become the highest marina flag from sea level.
Alan remembers little of the descent back to base camp but recalls that the porters were amazing and probably saved his life, commenting: “The weather had been particularly bad with strong winds and -24 degree temperatures. That night two people had stayed at base camp refusing to summit. Two needed a fast decent and of those that reached the summit six were asking for stretchers from base camp and one wanted a helicopter. It had been a brutal night. That said, I need to go back to finish the challenge and am planning to take on the summit in August so Clem will have to hang around for a bit longer to help raise more money for our charities.”
Alan and Clem have selected Pancreatic Cancer Action and The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity as their chosen charities. Close to £4,000 (including Gift Aid) has been raised so far for Alan and he hopes to smash the £5,000 mark.
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 5,895 metres (19,342ft). The high elevation, low temperatures and occasional high winds make this mountain a difficult and dangerous trek.
This isn’t Alan’s first climb and in 2015 he climbed the summit of Mount Snowdon and took the MDL Marinas flag along. The flag became the highest in England and Wales at 1085 meters (3560ft).
Alan’s trip is completely self-funded with 100% of his donations being split between the two charities. To help Alan reach his target visit www.virginmoneygiving.com/AlanShave