Sara and Tanya met whilst attending Joe’s Spin classes in Hereford and have been friends now for over 2 years; sharing an interest in hill walking and most recently completing couch to 5K.

When Sara said she was thinking of climbing Kilimanjaro in 2025, Tanya jumped at the chance to join her after being envious of her trekking adventure in Nepal in 2023.

We are both aware that the next 20 months training and fundraising are going to be difficult and there might be times when we doubt our abilities to complete the challenge we have set ourselves; but in focusing on what St. Michael’s has given to our loved ones, and continues to do for those, in our community, I know that we will conquer all 5, 895 metres of Africa's tallest mountain, Kilimanjaro.

All money raised will be going to St Micheal's Hospice, Sara and Tanya are are both self-funding the trip costs.

Tanya’s story:

‘I am completing the Kilimanjaro Trek in memory of all the loved ones I have lost to cancer: Janette Blenkinsop, a great friend and neighbour I worked with for over 10 years at Mordiford Primary School who lost her fight against Cancer just before her 60th birthday; Barbie Slater, a wonderful lady who also lost her battle against Cancer whilst being supported by St. Michael’s hospice; Lin & Bill Morrall, parents to my best friend from school Kim, who both lost their lives to Cancer and last but not least, Mark Bennett, an old neighbour, friend and former member of a local Hereford band ‘Fired up’ who died a year ago whilst also being supported by St. Michael’s hospice.

Everyone of them has left their mark on my heart and it will be my absolute honour to complete the trek in memory of them all…each one of them would think I was mad, but support me nevertheless, knowing that through sheer determination I would complete my goal and raise much needed funds and awareness for St. Michael’s Hospice in Hereford.’

Sara’ story:

‘In October 2010 Sara took her mum Sheila, glamping in the Lake District for some special mother and daughter time, sleeping in a yurt under the Milky Way above. Little did they know that a month later their worlds would be turned upside down and never be the same again.

Shelia had what was thought to be a stroke on the 23rd November, and was admitted to the stoke ward at Hereford County Hospital. Five days later, Sara and her sister sat down in the consultant’s office and were told that the stroke was a bleed in the brain, caused by a build up of pressure due to secondary tumors in the brain and that the cancer was also in her lymph glands too.

Fit and healthy, no one could believe Sheila was so ill and struggled to accept her prognosis was just two to three months. Sheila had tumors in the frontal lobe and cerebellum, which meant she was mentally altered with no filter and physically unable to walk unaided.

Shelia desperately wanted to go home for Christmas, and to be with her cats, and the reality of the situation hit home that she couldn’t care for herself and needed Sara and her sister to assist with the most basic of needs. After a week of coping on their own, a week of rehabilitation at St Michael’s Hospice was offered, to help Sheila adjust to her mobility issues and learn to walk with a frame. And this is where our journey with the Hospice began. Sheila thought the Hospice and the staff were wonderful, and in her last four months she was admitted several times to help manage her symptoms, before she finally died there in April 2011.

Sara and her sister were so grateful for everything the Hospice did for their mum, as well as the support and comfort extended to them both too whilst going through such a difficult time and will forever be in their debt.

The 20 months of fundraising and training required to summit of Kilimanjaro, is a small thing compared to the scale of what St Michael’s Hospice do for the people of Herefordshire when facing a cancer diagnosis.