A local businessman from Pontypridd is hoping to overcome his fear of heights by climbing Africa’s highest peak.
Nigel Greenaway of Cardiff-based law firm, Greenaway Scott, has signed up to climb Mount Kilimanjaro next month in a bid to raise money for a local charity.
Despite having Acrophobia, the 39 year-old Director wants to tackle the 19,000ft peak to raise over £3000 for St David’s Hospice Care.
Nigel said: “Climbing Kilimanjaro will be an extremely hard challenge both physically and mentally for me as I’m absolutely terrified of heights. I’m hoping that by facing my fear head on, I will be able to overcome my anxieties and conquer my fear. I’m training regularly so I’m hoping I’ll be in peak condition when the time comes, although I don’t expect anything can prepare you for the altitude.
“It’s also going to be even more difficult as the route I’ll be taking is called the Machame route, which is a lot more difficult than Marangu since it includes the vertical 4th day challenge climbing the famous Kilimanjaro Barranco Wall.
“However, knowing that I’m helping such a worthwhile charity will certainly spur me on to reach the summit. People have been extremely generous in donating money and I’m extremely grateful for their support.”
A keen fundraiser, Nigel has trekked 100km in the Sahara and completed a 200km dog sled race in the Arctic, raising £8,700 for charity.
Adrian Hadley, deputy chief executive of St David’s Hospice Care, said: “We’re really grateful to Nigel for selecting us as his charity. We really do rely on the support of people like Nigel to help us fund our care services so we can’t thank him enough.
“I know from experience that climbing Kilimanjaro is an extremely tough challenge, so to tackle it while suffering from a fear of heights is both courageous and commendable. We wish him all the best with the climb and look forward to hearing all about it when he comes back.”
Providing care at home and at its Outreach and Chemotherapy Centre in Malpas for over 3,200 patients each year with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses, the charity, which is based in Newport, requires £7m a year to offer its service for free to patients, carers and families across Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport, Torfaen and South and Mid Powys.