Stoney Cross Garage scaled Africa’s highest peak for charity
Stoney Cross Garage, Servicesure’s garage of the year for 2023, are usually more accustomed to the hills of Derbyshire but one of their intrepid team members decided it was time for a greater challenge than the peaks can offer.
Stoney Cross Garage Business Manager Deborah Murray heard the mountains calling and packed her bags for Africa’s highest peak, Kilimanjaro, all in the name of charity. Having ran the London marathon just 18 months previously, clearly adventures and feats of endurance are in the blood.
Deborah said: “It’s an adventure that me and my friend have talked about for years and years and never got round to. We found a trip that summited on her 60th birthday so we just went for it. I raised money for Mind while my friend and her daughter chose Alzheimer’s and cancer charities, so it was all for a good cause.
“It took a long time to get there! It’s an 8-day trek up the mountain and 1.5 days down. We were on the top of the mountain at 7:30am so we could see the sunrise but unfortunately, it was completely overcast! It takes time to acclimatise to the altitude so you can be yo-yoing sometimes as you get used to it as a group.
“The climb went really well; we did a lot training so we were ready and knew what we were capable of. It was hard but it was doable, the guides are fantastic though and make sure it’s gradual. It’s steady going up until the last night, as you get to the summit it really starts to get steep! It’s a night climb, covered in snow and we had the worst wind they’d seen in four years, so it was a little daunting. The adrenaline kicks in though and gets you through that last barrier. It was an absolutely incredible trip and we’re so pleased we’ve done it.”