Lucy’s Story

In April , Lucy will be running the Brighton Marathon to raise money for The Treloar Trust in Alton.  She explains why she chose Treloar’s:

“One of the main factors for me choosing Treloar’s, apart from the fantastic work they do, is the close family link. My Grandmother’s Father’s Cousin – Sir William Purdie Treloar founded and opened the Trust in 1907 and to this day my Grandmother is the closest family link to him. Hearing about the incredible work they do, definitely made up my mind to take on this challenge on their behalf.”

This isn’t her first foray into supporting Treloar’s.  In 2016, Lucy decided to take on a challenge and settled on trekking Mount Kilimanjaro after a friend’s suggestion.  Because of the family link, it was Treloar’s that she decided to support and raised and amazing £3,560.  She told us about her experience:

“There were 30 of us in my group along with 116 Tanzanians – guides, chefs, porters, toilet ‘engineers’, campsite workers etc.  We wouldn’t have been able to complete the trek without any of them: the porters had to carry 20kg of kit and mostly they used their heads – they didn’t even hold onto the equipment they were carrying!  The guides were full of songs and encouragement the whole way through, teaching us Swahili phrases and words! 

Each day was a new adventure, some longer than others but all with different terrain, difficulty and stunning views!  The whole week we were staying above the clouds – it was incredibly beautiful to watch the sun set and rise, against them. 

The final ascent was by far the most mentally challenging I have ever done, and was so easy to want to give up – I had a few breakdowns on the way up after the guide told me there was still 2 hours to the top of the first section!  We finally got to the top of the steepest part – Stella Point – and met a few of my group at the top.  We all set off for the final 200m to Uhuru Peak and as we were walking you could see the orange glow of the sun coming up to the horizon.

Finally at around 6am we got to the peak and saw the sign!  All the feelings before that moment subsided and gave way to utter elation.  The views of the glaciers, volcanic rock and clouds below were incredible and completely worth all of the pain of the summit night!  It was still very cold so we didn’t stay at the top long, (I’m sorry I couldn’t take my coat off for a Treloar’s T-shirt photo!).

Kilimanjaro completely exceeded my expectations and will be an experience I treasure forever – all the more special for being able to share it with Treloar’s – an incredible school and one special to my family, so I would like to thank you all so much for allowing me to raise the money for you! “

Lucy’s support has touched the lives of many of the students here at Treloar’s helping to fund things like our music therapy sessions which give a chance for expression to our students.

Thank you Lucy for your ongoing support and good luck in April!!