Roses and escorts fundraise for VSO
Rose of Tralee Kilimanjaro Trek
Kilimanjaro is the world’s highest freestanding mountain and the 20,000 ft climb to its summit is one of the great challenges. Ten escorts and roses from the Rose of Tralee Festival will be travelling to Tanzania for two weeks of life changing experiences and achievement. Together they will attempt to climb to the top of Kilimanjaro and in doing so, raise vital funds for VSO.
Project visit
The trekkers (five guys and five women) will also visit a VSO project in neighbouring Kenya. It is a ground breaking initiative in that the VSO volunteers have helped communities overcome negative attitudes to disabled people by empowering them to come out of the shadows to start businesses with micro loans and to become part of their communities in a way which has been traditionally denied to them. So impressed was the Kenyan government with the project, that VSO were asked to advise on formulating policy for new disability legislation in Kenya.
Who's taking part?
The trek began on 17 June and continues VSO’s relationship with the Rose of Tralee festival. The escorts taking part in the climb are:
- Sean McGarrell from Meath
- Colin Conway from Tyrone
- Patrick Foley from Kerry
- Noel Judge from Galway
- Ciaran O’Connell from Clare
The Roses taking part are:
- Aideen Reilly Manchester Rose 2009
- Kelly O’Shea Queensland Rose 2009
- Ashling Colton New York Rose 2009
- Tara Cunningham Cavan Rose 2009
- Melanie Carroll Limerick Rose 2009
Show your support
The trek takes place at the end of June this year and the trekkers are already in training for their arduous climb. If you would like to donate to the Roses and escorts in their challenge, please visit: www.mycharity.ie/event/roseoftralee or www.mycharity.ie/charity_fundraiser_list.php?charityID=26
