Charity adventure for solicitor

A solicitor will be swapping her legal books for walking boots next year when she climbs Africa's highest mountain.

Sian Danford, 29, a former Welshpool High School pupil who now works as a solicitor in Birmingham, is to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care by scaling Kilimanjaro in June.

"I have always supported cancer charities as they are a cause close to my heart," explained Sian, who comes from Pool Quay, near Welshpool.

"In my teens I lost two grandparents to cancer and last year my father was diagnosed with the disease. I have often taken part in charity events, such as the Race for Life, or more recently the Macmillian Macmarathon walks.

"But now, as I approach the milestone age of the big 3-0, I feel I need to accomplish something on a grander scale for charity.

"This is how I came to seek out and sign up for the Marie Curie Kilimanjaro Trek.

"They need £10,000 every hour of every day for their nurses to provide end of life care and I feel that it is so important that cancer patients get practical and emotional support from the nurses, either in a hospice or their own home in their last weeks or days."

Sian, who has been training for the 19,341 foot challenge with walks in the Brecon Beacons and the Black Mountains, hopes to raise as much money as possible towards the required £3,950 target.

To help her hit that target she has organised a Zumbathon at The Armoury in Welshpool on Saturday, January 26, starting at 10am and going on until 1.30pm with breaks and refreshments.

"Registration for the event is via Chris Greatorex at The Armoury and the registration fee is £5."

Come the new year, Sian's training regime is set to increase with a training weekend already planned when she attempts to tackle the Welsh 3000s, but people should also keep their eyes peeled for details of further events as Sian's fundraising efforts also go up a gear.

To sponsor Sian Danford please visit www.justgiving.com/SianDanfordKiliTrek

Or to register take part in the Zumbathon contact Chris Greatorex at The Armoury on 01938 554143.