A CHESTER physiotherapist will be in the saddle to raise vital funds.
Emma Fenlon, of Handbridge, will brave the high altitudes of the Andes on horseback in February next year to raise money for the Anthony Nolan Trust. The charity runs a bone marrow register to help people with leukaemia.
Emma, 39, works at the Countess of Chester Hospital. She said: “It’s my 40th birthday in January and I really wanted to mark it by doing something worthwhile. When I saw the Anthony Nolan Trust was doing this trek in the Andes, it seemed perfect. I’ve always wanted to go to South America.”
Emma used to ride as a child and has been back on a horse in preparation for the 10-day trek through Argentina and Chile which will involve up to eight hours a day in the saddle.
“I’m loving it,” she added. “I’ll definitely be carrying on after the trek. I have to admit that I didn’t know too much about the Anthony Nolan Trust before signing up for the trek but now I’ve joined the bone marrow register and I’m encouraging all my friends to do so too. It’s so incredibly easy to join.”
The Anthony Nolan Trust matches life saving bone marrow donors to hundreds of children and adults waiting for transplants. The charity also undertakes vital research leading to improvements in the effectiveness and safety of the transplants.
Emma’s flights, accommodation, food and professional guides are all provided and no experience is necessary to participate in an Anthony Nolan event. She simply needs to raise the minimum sponsorship of £3,200 and have the drive and determination to succeed.
She said: “The fundraising has proved a bit more difficult than I thought, but friends and family have been very generous.
“I’m doing some bag-packing at Morrisons on Friday, December 28, and I’m also hoping to hold a fund-raising party for my 40th – I’m getting there!”
To sponsor Emma visit www.justgiving.com/emmafenlon.
The Anthony Nolan Trust is appealing for adventurous people to take part in a spectacular trekking challenge in Peru. The Inca Trail trek in Peru takes place on September 4-14 2008. To find out more, telephone 020 7284 8284, log on to www.anthonynolan.org.uk or text ‘go peru’ to 60003 plus your name and address. Standard text rates apply.
