Hana’s climbing the highest freestanding mountain in the world!

I am taking on this mountain sized challenge, for Helen & Douglas House, for a number of reasons:

Professionally: I am the Events Manager at Helen & Douglas House, my role is to research, plan and run fundraising events. I will be taking on the mountain with a group of our supporters. I will need to remain positive and professional whilst dealing with altitude sickness (we will go to nearly 6,000m above sea level), tired limbs (walking 62km, mostly uphill!), the cold (for every 1000m we climb the temperature can fall by 6°C) and lack of sleep (max 4 hours sleep on summit night).

Personally: I am taking on this challenge in memory of my brother Greg. Greg was an incredible older brother, at times silly, a teaser, a tickler, a pain in the bum; he was enthusiastic, supportive and respectful of others. Greg was a great sportsman representing the county at cricket, rugby and swimming; he was also Head Boy and had secured a place at Loughborough University. He pushed himself physically and mentally to achieve his goals.

I felt like he continually led the way in life, for me to follow.

However, on September 5th 2004 my life changed. My brother Greg was the innocent victim of a car accident, killed aged 18 on the way to the seaside with friends. We had exceptional support from our family and friends who helped us 24/7 for months. However we were not made aware of Helen & Douglas House, the children and young peoples’ hospice in Oxford, who could of helped us through this horrendous time. HDH not only support children and young adults with terminal conditions but families dealing with unexpected deaths, like us. Importantly for me, they support not only the patient but the whole family – mothers, fathers, grandparents and siblings.

At Helen & Douglas House we could have had more time with Greg, more time to come to terms with his death, we could have met other families in our position and we could have received continued support in the years since. We were lucky to have incredible friends and family but others may not have this support. I want to ensure that others know this support is available and that the exceptional work the team at HDH do can continue.

I hope you will support me and Helen & Douglas House as I take on this challenge.

Thank you!

Hana XX

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