Hospice Chairman summits African peak

Last week Hospice Chairman Jim O’Toole endured a personal challenge with a twist to raise valuable funds for an exciting development to St Kentigern Hospice.

Jim took on the challenge of summiting Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro with the aim of raising the funds needed for a modernised kitchen as part of the extensive refurbishment and extension programme currently taking place at the hospice.

He made the tough journey through varying terrains to the summit. Despite the wintery and windy Tanzanian conditions he achieved this complete with an actual kitchen sink on his back, and even celebrated his 77th birthday on his way to the top.

The new development is a remarkable accomplishment for the hospice and will include the construction of a further four bedrooms for palliative care including respite, rehabilitation and end of life care, an extended and modernized day therapy facility and a community café hub which will provide an open space for the patients, visitors and public to enjoy freshly cooked meals and snacks. The kitchen will be very much at the heart of the hospice.

Jim took over as role of Chairman at the St Asaph based hospice in 2017 and knows only too well the pressing need to re-develop and extend the Hospice and to secure the essential funding for its ongoing upkeep.

Jim commented “I’m very appreciative of the generous support I have been given to date in raising the funds needed for the new hospice kitchen.  The climb was very challenging and a truly amazing experience. Carrying the kitchen sink to the summit certainly captured the attention and generosity of fellow trekkers along the route and increased their awareness of the importance of the financial support that will be needed by Hospices”

He added “St Kentigern is currently investing to ensure that the accommodation at the Hospice is modernised and extended to meet the increasing palliative care needs of the local community. The new kitchen facilities will be at the centre of the Hospice providing healthy meals for patients and visitors and also to service the new community café”

Jim paid all his expenses for the climb so that all money raised will go to the hospice. Donations are still very welcome and much appreciated; if you would like to give your support please visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jim-otoole

For a further insight into the trek – visit our youtube channel: here

Big Thanks to B & Q Rhyl for providing the sink and to Graham Ogle of Brenig Ltd in Greenfield for using his experience to provide a customized harness for the sink.

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