Wick mum conquers Kilimanjaro despite doctors’ warnings

THERE was a very real risk that she would lose her fingers and her toes, but that did not stop a Wick mother-of-two scaling the world’s tallest free-standing mountain.
By Amanda Barrell
Published 30th Sep 2010, 15:31 BST

Debbie Clayton has raised more than £3,200 for the British Heart Foundation (BHF) by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, despite suffering from Raynaud’s disease, which has left her with such poor blood circulation that her fingers go white just walking through the freezer section of a supermarket.

With temperatures dropping to as low as minus 15 C during the climb, Debbie took every precaution, including a battery-operated, heated body warmer, and four pairs of gloves. And she has come back intact.

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“The most amazing part was getting to the peak. I had prepared and trained for 18 months, and had visualised myself there. I had anticipated what it would feel like, but when I got there, it was just amazing. It was incredible.

“It was not just a personal achievement. It shows people with Raynaud’s that you can pursue your dreams, as long as you take the right precautions,” said Debbie, 45, of Robin Close.

The danger of the trip was demonstrated half-way through when a climber with another group was hit by a falling rock, and killed.

“I don’t know how old he was, or even what nationality he was.

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“We saw them bring his body down, and it really hit home 
that this was dangerous, and that there was no guarantee that you would make it to the summit, or even make it back.” she said.

Of the 32 in her group, who between them raised £105,000 for the BHF, Debbie was one of 29 to make it the top.

“At no point did I think I couldn’t make it, I just kept thinking that every step was one closer to the top.”

She added: “When you see pictures of Kili, you think its surrounded by clouds, but those are glaciers.

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“They will probably not be there in 15 or 20 years, so I felt so privileged to be there.”

It doesn’t stop here though, and Debbie, who returned home from her adventure last week, is now planning to climb Mount Blanc in France.

“The bug has definitely bitten,” she said, “I am just looking for the right tour, and I want to do it next year.”

l To sponsor Debbie, go to:
www.justgiving.com/
deb-does-Kilimanjaro

Related topics:British Heart FoundationFrance