31 March 2009

It is the highest mountain in Africa and claims the lives of around eight climbers every year – but this York man is not going to let that fact deter him from getting to the top.

Andy Shield, of Acomb Park, is preparing to fly to Tanzania, where he will launch a bid to conquer the 5,895-metre summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Andy, aged 28, who works as an early years training team manager for City of York Council, hopes his nine-day hike next September will raise more than GBP 1,500 for Guardian Angels.

Every penny he raises will go towards buying new equipment for the children’s high-dependency unit at York Hospital, which was built last year following The Press’s three-year GBP 300,000 Guardian Angels Appeal.

Andy, who plays football, squash and badminton, said: “I wanted a challenge and climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is probably one of the biggest challenges out there.

“I’ve never done anything on this scale. I’ve climbed England’s highest peak – Scafell Pike in the Lake District, but Kilimanjaro is something else. Scafell Pike isn’t even 1,000m high.

“The altitude is my biggest worry. You can do as much training as you want, but you can’t prepare yourself for how you will handle the altitude.

“There are medications you can take to help, but it’s a bit daunting. I’m a keen walker and over the past year I’ve done walks and treks such as the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

“I will continue to do walks like this as part of my training, but the main thing I will need to do is complete consecutive days of walking for around five to six hours non-stop each day.”

Andy, who was educated at the former Lowfield Secondary School and has lived in York his entire life, said he was keen to support a local charity.

He said: “I wanted to do it for a children’s charity and Guardian Angels really appealed to me because it will directly benefit children in York.

“It is raising money to develop the children’s high-dependency unit and allow even more sick children to be treated here in York rather than being transferred to Leeds or elsewhere in the country.”

If you would like to support Andy by donating money to Guardian Angels, send cheques, made payable to Guardian Angels York, to Andy Shields, Training and Development Unit, Mill House, North Street, York, YO1 6JD. Alternatively, email Andy at andy.shield@york.gov.uk and he will arrange to collect any donations.



Story and photo by kind permission of The Press.