A TIRELESS Pershore fund-raiser has embarked on his latest gruelling challenge this week.
Jonathan Small from Defford was set to begin a 18,519 foot climb to Everest Base Camp with the hope of reaching the summit and watching the sun rise over Everest.
The 48-year-old podiatrist is raising funds for the Raynaud’s and Scleroderma Association in memory of his mother.
She died at the age of just 55 after suffering complications from the rare condition
Scleroderma along with the circulatory disorder Raynaud’s disease.
Jonathan has dedicated himself to raising cash in her memory since she passed away and in 2011 took on what he described as the ‘hardest challenge of my life’.
“I climbed Cotopaxi in Ecuador at a height of 19,347 feet and it nearly finished me off.
“I swore I’d never climb that high again even though I did raise over £4,000.
“Move forward six years and I get the crazy idea to go altitude trekking again but I keep telling everyone its not as high so I’ll be fine.
“I’ve managed to talk a few podiatry colleagues into my mad scheme and so we are all doing the trek to raise funds for our own charities, but also to raise the profile of the profession of podiatry as we help to keep the world walking as #podsfixfeet.”
The caring podiatrist said the climb would fulfill a dream of his to see Everest where the highest point will be Kala Patthar at 18,519 feet and help remember his mum.
“As a podiatrist, I see patients with either or both of these debilitating conditions and their effects on the feet.
“I try to provide as much relief as possible to maintain mobility & independence, and to relieve suffering.
“My childhood years were dominated by my mother’s illness in the 1970’s as she struggled to get a diagnosis whilst suffering with the pain of Raynauds and the progressive nature of Scleroderma, until her kidneys were affected and she spent the 1980’s on dialysis.
“She was one of the first people in the UK to use a continuous dialysis system at home which impacted tremendously on our family’s life.
Jonathan is close to achieving his £1,500 target but would welcome any further donations.
Visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/footmanj2017 to sponsor Jonathan or send donations to Health First, Daventry Street, Southam, CV47 1PH.
