THE HERALD FRIDAY FEBRUARY 3 2017
33 Health Charity mountain attempt postponed SIR RANULPH FIENNES
has been forced to abandon his effort to climb Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America, after suffering from severe back pain. The 72-year-old had to be helicoptered from the 6,962m (22,838 feet) mountain, when he was just a few hours from the summit. Sir Ranulph was climbing the
mountain as part of his attempt to become the first person to cross both the polar ice caps and climb the seven highest mountains on each continent – all to raise money for the terminal illness charity Marie Curie. Speaking from Mendoza in
Argentina, Sir Ranulph Fiennes said: “I was within just a few hours of the summit but problems with my back meant I couldn’t continue. I’m very frustrated, but I’ve learnt that at my age you can’t ignore any pain. I’m going to come home to the UK and get my back looked at before I do anything else.” Sir Ranulph had recently
returned from successfully climbing Mount Vinson, the highest peak in Antarctica in December as part of his current record attempt. The challenge brings together a lifetime of exploration for Fiennes, having already crossed both polar ice caps in 1982, climbing Mount Everest in Asia (in 2009 on his third attempt), Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa (2004) and Mount Elbrus in Europe (2016). To complete his Global Reach
Challenge and claim a world first, he still needs to successfully climb Aconcagua in South America, Carstenz in Indonesia and Denali in North America. Sir Ranulph has raised money for
Marie Curie for a number of years by taking on extreme challenges. This includes becoming the first person to cross both ice caps and summit Everest – known then as the ‘Explorers' Grand Slam’. He was the oldest Briton to climb Everest. In 2015, he also became the oldest Briton to complete the gruelling Marathon des Sables in the Sahara
desert. The money Sir Ranulph raises
helps Marie Curie provide vital care and support to people living with a terminal illness and their families. Sir Ranulph has raised over £18m
in total for charity and aims to raise £20m for good causes in his lifetime. All donations towards Sir
Ranulph’s Global Reach Challenge will go to Marie Curie.
The costs of the challenge are
being covered by the generous sponsorship of long-term benefactor Paul Sykes and corporate sponsor TMF Group.
36 High Street Haverfordwest SA61 2DA
01437 762935,
www.advocacywestwales.org.uk.
AWWprovides an independent advocacy service for people with a serious mental health problem. The
advocacy service is free, confidential and independent of other services
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