It’s bad enough dragging yourself back upstairs when you forget something, but spare a thought (and a pound or two) for the Rev Andy Heber who is planning to climb his stairs 76 times a day for the next month!
Andy has signed up to the Tearfund Climb Kilimanjaro challenge to support those living in poverty to fight the challenges of Covid-19.
As of Monday, 11th May 2020, Andy, who is vicar of Carnmoney, Diocese of Connor, has covered 157 flights, (including a run of 70 flights in one go!). No wonder he’s a mite concerned his knees will give in – only 1,970 flights to go!
Andy said: “These days of restrictions and lockdown are testing us all, however it’s important to remember that our lives are safer and easier compared with many people in our world. In less developed countries with fewer resources and a much more basic infrastructure, even the ability to wash your hands regularly is a luxury, let alone the availability of sufficient hospital beds and ventilators.
“Over the coming months as the coronavirus hits many of the less developed countries in our world, the effects will be devastating.”
He said Tearfund is one organisation working in many of these countries seeking to provide aid, promoting hygienic practices and seeking to build adequate hand washing stations to prevent the spread of the virus.
The Mount Kilimanjaro Challenge is an attempt to raise money to support them in this vital work, and in taking on the challenge, Andy will realise one long-held dream (well, sort of!)
“It has long been one of my ambitions to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the fourth highest mountain in the world standing at 5,895 metres tall,” Andy explained.
“Obviously this is no longer possible, and possibly never will be as the years go by. However I have decided to climb the equivalent of this mountain by running up the stairs in my house.
“Over the course of 28 days, beginning on Sunday May 10th, I am hoping to run/climb 31,922 steps, that’s 76 flights of my stairs every day – coming down doesn’t count!”
Would you like to sponsor Andy as he climbs 31,922 steps for Tearfund!
If he is successful in this challenge, Andy will have climbed over 6,000 meters, more than the height of Mount Kilimanjaro.
“If you would like to sponsor me as I attempt this challenge and raise valuable money for Tearfund to help them in their work in less developed countries in our world, then please visit my Just Giving page to leave a donation and a message,” Andy said. (link below)
“Alternatively, cheques made payable to Tearfund can be posted to me at 20 Glebe Road, Newtownabbey, Co Antrim, BT36 6UW.”
Good luck Andy – we hope the knees hold out and the feeling of satisfaction at the summit is amazing – even if the view isn’t what you hoped for!!
Here is the link to Andy’s Just Giving Page where you can sponsor him.
If you like the thought of rising to this challenge yourself, click here to go to the relevant Tearfund webpage to get more information about The Climb and sign up to your own Climb Challenge. There are less strenuous options available!! As they say ‘The only way is up!’ …. and back down again!
