By Emily Burgin
WHAT DO Africa and Saddleworth have in common? Fran Taylor.
To provide water to communities out in Kenya, 21-year-old Fran is having an adventure of a lifetime by climbing Kilimanjaro next year.
Last year, as president of the women’s rugby club at University of Huddersfield, Fran received an email from Dig Deep, the charity that organises the trip, offering her the role of team leader.
And so now she is currently recruiting avid climbers to join her on the challenging expedition up the 16,000ft mountain and fundraise for their venture.
Dig Deep asks for £2,990, half of which covers the cost of the trip and the other half supports Dig Deep’s work in Kenya to access water and sanitation and break the cycle of poverty.
Having been to Africa before, Fran, whose mum Helen Taylor runs Oxhey Western Trail Rides in Denshaw, revealed she is incredibly excited to go back there.
She said: “I went to Botswana with scouts on a five-week expedition and absolutely fell in love with the place and have been looking to go back ever since.
“Kilimanjaro is also on my bucket list so when this opportunity came up I knew I had to take it.”
During the trip there is also time for participants to enjoy a week’s independent travel after the climb, and Fran has already planned her visit to Zanzibar to swim with turtles and dolphins.
Fran hasn’t started her training yet but Dig Deep organises a trip up Snowdon as a training climb and Fran is hoping to also do the Yorkshire three peaks challenge with her team.
“Not only will it be a great fundraiser but also a good training exercise and will get everyone to work together and bond as a team!” she said.
If you fancy joining Fran and other climbers for this trip of a lifetime, whether you are a practised climber or never tried anything like this before, contact Fran on 07837 001933 or email frann.taylor@live.co.uk
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