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                        Ian and Lisa Cupples training for Kilimanjaro on Clent Hill, near Kidderminster

Oldbury Couple to Take on Mighty Kilimanjaro

 

August 17, 2010

A big-hearted couple from Oldbury are set to reach new heights for a city hospice when they take on Africa’s highest mountain. 

Ian and Lisa Cupples will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania on August 29 in aid of Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, the only independent adult hospice serving people with life-limiting illnesses across Birmingham and Sandwell. 

The husband and wife team decided to take on the challenge after witnessing the vital care provided by the Hospice to friends. Between them Ian and Lisa are on course to raise around £1,300 but would welcome further sponsorship. 

For the past few months 28-year-old Ian, who works for HSBC in Birmingham, and Lisa, aged 28 who works at Linak-UK Limited in Smethwick, have been in training for their daunting mission by climbing various hills and mountains around the Midlands and beyond, including the Malverns in Worcestershire and Long Mynd in Shropshire as well as Snowdon and Cader Idris in Wales. 

For Lisa the fundraiser will prove to be a double challenge, as she’s afraid of heights and has never been camping before.  

She said: “This is going to be really out of my comfort zone, but having seen the fantastic care given to people at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice I know overcoming my own personal phobias will be worth it. I feel Ian and I have prepared well for the challenge, putting in as many weekend hours as possible climbing local hills and mountains. Obviously there will be obstacles such as potential altitude sickness, but hopefully it won’t prevent us reaching the top.” 

Ian added: “This is something I’ve wanted to do for a long time and to do it in aid of such a great cause will make it all the more special. I would like to appeal to as many people as possible to sponsor us.” 

Hospice Head of Fundraising Caroline Taylor thanked Ian and Lisa for their support. 

She said: “I would like to say a huge thank you to Ian and Lisa for taking on this challenge, we wish them all the best. Their efforts will make a big difference to people living with life-limiting illnesses in Birmingham and Sandwell. I’m looking forward to hearing about their adventure when they return.” 

Since its launch in 1979, Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice has cared for tens of thousands of people with life-limiting illnesses, such as cancer, motor neurone disease and MS.

With around 52 percent of the Hospice’s budget reliant on public goodwill, community fundraising is crucial to ensuring its highly specialised services can continue to be offered to the people of Birmingham and Sandwell. 

In addition to a 25-bed Inpatient Unit, Birmingham St Mary’s boasts a 20-place Day Hospice and provides community care to people who wish to stay in their own homes.  

The Hospice also supports relatives with bereavement preparation, physiotherapy tuition and counselling in addition to many other services.  

Annual running costs stand at £6.3 million, with around £1 million being raised in the Hospice’s shops and £2.7 million via community fundraising events. The remainder comes from the NHS. 

Birmingham St Mary’s nurses, often referred to by patients and relatives as ‘angels’, are renowned for going that extra mile to ensure people with terminal illnesses enjoy the best possible quality of life.  

To sponsor Ian and Lisa please go to: www.justgiving.com/Lisa-and-Ian-Cupples.