Five go to Africa to aid Yorkshire hospice

The five, all from Halifax, will trek up Mount Kilimanjaro, hoping to reach the 19,341ft summit after around seven days of walking and camping, in order to raise money for Overgate Hospice at Elland, near Halifax.

The five are Paul Bowen, 32, who works for Yorkshire Building Society; his partner Clare Kirman, 36, who works at Packaging World in Sowerby Bridge; her mother Marj, 56, a postwoman in Halifax; Lee Knowles, 39, who works at Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance in Halifax and Michael Holroyd, 43, who works at Direct Line in Leeds.

All five have personal reasons for supporting the hospice, most of them because friends or relatives have received treatment there.

A spokesman for the group said: “We are all residents of Calderdale and know what a fantastic job the Hospice does. Michael lost his father in April 2013, following his long battle with a terminal illness.

“In the latter stages of his life he received respite care at Overgate. The care he received was exceptional and done so with utter professionalism, warmth, humour, kindness, dignity and love.

“Overgate didn’t just provide his father with care but supported his whole family through this difficult time. Words will never be able to convey their thanks but Michael hopes, in climbing Kilimanjaro, essential funds will be raised for this truly outstanding cause.

“Other members of the team also know people who have received care there, and therefore understand what a fantastic job they do for the people of Calderdale. Because it relies on donations we were keen to help as much as we can to keep the Hospice going so the team there can continue their fantastic work.”

A spokeswoman for the Hospice said running costs were £6,900 per day. The Hospice relies heavily on public donations.

To donate go to www.justgiving.com/Halifax-Wayfers2014