Mount Kilimanjaro climber presents a mountain of money
UPDATE Thursday 27th October:
At last Thursday’s regular training night a special visitor dropped in to join the team for the evening. Becky Higton 
set off in September to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa as a “Thank-you” and fundraiser for Buxton M.R. after she had received treatment from a team medic during a fell race in 2014 (see text below).
Becky’s attempt at the famous 5,900 metre summit was successful and in the process raised a huge amount of money for the team. Becky said that “the climb was amazing but the final summit day was hard going.”
On Thursday night, in front of the assembled team, she presented the team Fundraising Officer, Dave Goodman with a cheque for £5,008.. The money is a welcome boost to the team as it finalises plans to replace one of its front line operational vehicles at a cost in the region of £45,000.
The team sends a huge “Thank you” to Becky and all those who generously supported her campaign.
ORIGINAL POST:
A lady is to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Buxton Mountain Rescue Team which went to her aid whilst she was competing in a local fell race.
In December 2014 Becky Higton was taking part in the annual Christmas Cracker Race, a tough eight-mile course through the challenging terrain of The Roaches. Becky, aged 19, has been a member of Staffordshire Moorlands Athletics Club for nine years and has completed this race many times before.
Just a couple of miles into the race she started to feel unwell as she began to ascend onto the top of The Roaches. Her breathing became laboured and excruciating pains in her chest then forced me to stop. At this point she could hardly breathe at all.
Beck told the Leek Post and Times, “Nothing like this had ever happened to me before. I tried to gasp for breath, I knew I needed help but how could I get it? I couldn’t breathe and I was in the middle of nowhere. This is where the incredible talent and commitment of the Buxton Mountain Rescue Team came in. They had been informed of my condition by a fellow runner and they found me within minutes. I was given oxygen straight away, and carried down to their vehicle. Though my breathing didn’t improve I immediately felt safe and reassured.”
The team administered oxygen and a special drug used by asthmatics but when she didn’t respond to the treatment as the team doctor expected, a paramedic and ambulance were called.
“Without the speed and early intervention of Buxton Mountain Rescue that morning I dread to think what would have happened.” said Becky later.
Now as a thank you Becky is to set off for Africa on September 23 for a 10-day challenge to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, which stands at 19,340 feet above sea level.
She is also organising a fund-raising event at Cauldon Lowe Village Hall on Friday, August 12, when One Million Fingers will be playing through the night. An auction will also take place during the evening.
Becky, who is a dispenser at Waterhouses Medical Practice, said, “I am paying all the costs for the trip out of my own pocket, so every penny of the donations will go directly to Buxton Mountain Rescue, to fund training, equipment, first aid and vehicle running. However, this will definitely be a step out of my comfort zone and push me to my limits. Eight days of solid trekking, camping rough and not being able to wash my hair!”
“I would love to raise as much as possible for this amazing group of people to whom I will be eternally grateful.”
To sponsor Becky or to obtain tickets for the Cauldon Lowe fund-raising event contact Becky on 07951 364557, Carl on 07813 102061 or Caroline 07794 366491.
Script and photograph courtesy of The Leek Post & Times newspaper.