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The ambulance worker who climbed a mountain for others to benefit

You might remember a while back we told you about the exploits of one Jane Sinclair. She’s a paramedic for the North East Ambulance Service based in East Cleveland who set herself the task of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It’s all in aid of a little known but vital organisation called The Ambulance Staff Charity (TASC) whose motto is ‘caring for those who care for us.’ They provide services to support the mental health, physical rehabilitation and financial well-being of all those who work for, or with, the UK’s ambulance service.

Well, Jane was successful and we never doubted for a second that she would reach the summit. Here’s photographic proof – Jane is on the right at the rear. Blue coat, hood up, no sunglasses:

Here’s what Jane told us when she got back; “I got home after an amazing, tough but successful trek to the summit of Kilimanjaro! It was fascinating, passing through different vegetation zones as we climbed steadily, of rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, lava fields and finally the ‘moon-like’ appearance of volcanic dust & glaciers.

“The toughest bit by far – for all of us – was the slow overnight summit in darkness, cold, wind and dust to reach Stella Point & then Uhuru – the 2 summits – in time to see the sunrise. The feeling of achievement on reaching both summits was of total elation.

“Apart from the stunning scenery, amazing sunrises & sunsets, one lasting memory will be of the incredible support team we had, without whom we could not have done it. We were a group of 15 and we had 53 staff looking after us, which included guides and porters who carried all the tents, food and whatever else was needed up the same steep rocky routes that we climbed. Quite unbelievable & awesome!! They always encouraged us & even sang and danced for us, dragging us into the circle to get involved! The memories will last forever!”

Now she has just one more hurdle to climb – to reach the target she set herself of raising £5895 which is Kilimanjaro’s height in metres. There are more fantastic pictures at: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Jane-Sinclair4 where the current total stands at £5,623. So near yet so far.

Perhaps you could help?