A QUADRUPLE amputee who is planning to hike to the summit of Kilimanjaro is urging people at home to cover the same distance to raise funds to reduce social isolation for amputees.
Corinne Hutton, founder of the charity Finding Your Feet, leaves for the 11-day, 90km trip in Tanzania on September 29 with her group and aims to reach the summit on October 6.
She is urging people to boost the fundraising efforts by signing up for the charity’s “Kinda Kili” challenge and committing to cover the same 90km distance, be it by walking, running, cycling or swimming.
The funds raised will go to Finding Your Feet, which supports families affected by amputation or limb difference through a range of sporting initiatives and social inclusion projects.
Ms Hutton, who lost both hands and legs below the knee after suffering acute pneumonia and septicemia in 2013, launched the challenge at Skypark in Glasgow with gym firm SWEAT! on Thursday.
She said: “If you cannot make Kilimanjaro with us – you can still kinda conquer Kili. Our group will be hiking 90km over 11 days, so together with SWEAT! and Skypark’s community we’re asking as many people as possible to cover the same distance, whether it be walking, running, cycling or even swimming.
“Just set your fundraising target, choose how you would like to cover the 90km distance and complete it before October 6, as we reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. You’ll forever be able to tell people that you kinda conquered Kili.
“Every penny raised goes to support over 50 free clubs per month running in Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Leeds.
“These include swimming, skiing, climbing, gardening, crafting, pilates, fitness and our most popular ‘Ampu-teas’ session where our ‘Troopers’ meet up for coffee and chat. We offer medical massage and counselling sessions as well as an online forum that offers peer support for amputees around the UK and beyond.”
The charity said isolation is a huge problem for many amputees and it is taking action to tackle the problem through clubs and other initiatives.
Angela Higgins, Skypark’s strategic adviser, said: “We are big supporters of Finding Your Feet who do so much to prevent social isolation for amputees.”
Anyone interested can find out more on the challenge on the fundraising page www.findingyourfeet.net/kindakili
Clare Cochrane of SWEAT! said: “Today people can sign up to the Kinda Kili challenge at Skypark. Teams can compete to complete 90km between them within the allocated days and times whether running, walking, cycling or rowing – it’s up to you.”
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