|
Karin
Blak, from Chipping Campden, is trekking to the summit of Mount
Olympus in June, all in aid of the charity Scope.
But
what has possessed her to make such an arduous journey?
According
to Karin, "I think I must be barking mad, but I wanted to raise
some money for Scope, as it’s a charity that doesn’t really get
a mention.
 You never really hear about them (Scope)
and they do a really good job in the community for people with
cerebral palsy. Both people with cerebral palsy and their helpers.
 |
| Karin
Blak |
"You
never really hear about them and they do a really good job in the
community for people with cerebral palsy. Both people with cerebral
palsy and their helpers.
Karin
has never done any serious trekking before but is determined to
make it to the summit of Mount Olympus.
"I
will be trekking for eight or nine hours a day and the first two
and a half days will be all uphill. I've only just begun the training
and it is a very tough regime.
Training
"The
training is all about building up stamina and I have to walk six
hours a day to get the body used to moving. I also have to build
up the muscles and the stamina in my legs which I'm doing at the
gym."
In
June the temperature in Greece can reach 25°C, not
an ideal climate for trekking, but Karin is well aware of the difficulties
that lay ahead.
"The
trek is not going to be comfortable because of the steep hills and
because of the amount of equipment we have to carry with us.
| The trek is not going to be comfortable
because of the steep hills and because of the amount of equipment
we have to carry with us. |
| Karin
Blak |
"In
the beginning it will be heavy on the back, in shorts and T-shirts
but we have to carry thermal clothing, waterproofs, hat, gloves
and scarves, for protection at the higher levels. There may even
be snow at the top."
Mount
Olympus is 3000 meters high and Karin will be starting a few 100
metres from the bottom, as it’s near impossible to start from sea
level.
"The
first day we will be climbing 1000 metres and the second day 900
metres. The third day will be the last couple of hundred metres."
Fundraising
To
help raise even more money for Scope Karin has organised a holistic
therapy day on March 14 at Chipping Campden Town Hall.
She
said, "Over 15 Holistic therapists will be at the event, including
acupuncture, astrology, aromatherapy, clairvoyants, homeopathy,
hypnotherapy, reflexology and reiki – all kinds of alternative therapies.
"I
know a lot of people who would like to try one of these holistic
therapies but they don’t know enough about them, so this day will
give them an opportunity to try a taster session."
If
you would like to make a donation or can offer Karin any trekking
equipment please contact Karin on 01386 701497
| Holistic
Therapy Day |
| Venue |
Chipping
Campden Town Hall |
| Date |
Sundy
March 14 |
| Time |
11am
- 4pm |
| Cost |
£2
on the door |
Article
by Nat Hall
Read
some of the features you may have missed in our
archive
section or
get in touch at gloucestershire@bbc.co.uk.
|
Karin
Blak is undertaking the challenge of a lifetime by trekking to the
summit of Mount Olympus is Greece.
