Catherine Chapman, Holchem’s National Accounts Manager, is planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in September 2021. She will be joined by her husband Ricky and colleagues and customers Claire Adams, Rachel Righton and Greg Hunn as they take on the challenge to raise money for Bowl Cancer UK and Loros Hospice in Leicester.
The 19,340ft climb is one of the world’s most famous gruelling mountain treks. The team will encounter extreme weather conditions, very high altitudes and constant climbing for seven days. It’s a tough physical and mental challenge for everyone that attempts it and Cath and her team have been in training since before COVID-19 struck to ensure they get up and down safely.
The two charities have been chosen as they are close to the team’s hearts. In 2018 Holchem’s Anne McIntosh lost her battle with bowel cancer. She fought for many months and always had a smile on her face. She was a beautiful person who had a huge impact on so many people. Bowel cancer is treatable and curable if diagnosed early however as the disease develops the survival rate gets less. Bowel Cancer UK are determined to save lives and improve the quality of life of everyone affected by Bowel Cancer.
Loros Hospice is a charity local to Cath’s home who every year care for over 2,500 people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. Loros delivers free, high-quality, compassionate care and support to terminally ill patients and their family. The care is special and unique to each individual and all of the services are provided free to adult patients and their families. The care provided is tailored to the needs of each patient. Loros help people living with cancer and other terminal illnesses. The services are provided by a team of dedicated health and social care professionals both at the Hospice or in patients' own homes. The hospice’s 343 staff are helped by 1,500 volunteers. Loros has 29 charity shops located throughout Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and 90p of every £1 received goes towards patient care.
Greg will be doing this trek in memory of his daughter’s friend, Leah Beth Reek, who along with her boyfriend Shane, his mum Mary and brother Sean were tragically killed in the Leicester insurance explosion on Hinckley Road on the 25th February 2018.
Leah was a beautiful person inside and out, who’s smile lit up any room she entered, and she regularly volunteered at Loros helping those less fortunate than her. In recognition of Leah’s Loros connection and, in a desire to keep her memory burning brightly, her family and friends created the “Leah Beth Legacy” which helps raise funds for Loros as a memory to Leah’s “legacy of love and kindness,” for which will be remembered for ever.
To donate please visit https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CatherineChapman10
