2008: Rosemary Lavies

Rosemary Lavies was nominated by the New Milton group. In had 2007 Rosemary took the momentous decision to accompany her daughter and climb Kilimanjaro which, at 5,895m (19,341ft), is the world's highest free-standing mountain. Rosemary had no previous mountain climbing experience but at 62 yrs old she set herself a strenuous training regime which would culminate a year later in her attempt to reach the crater rim of Kilimanjaro.

For most of 2007 she swam, walked and made up to 3 visits to the gym each week. Members of her NWR group provided their support by forming a walking group to accompany, and encourage her, on fairly rigorous walks through the New Forest when Rosemary would carry a rucksack on her back weighing the amount she knew she would be carrying up Kilimanjaro. Throughout her training she was very strict with her diet and completely gave up alcohol.

On Sunday 27th January 2008 Rosemary joined a group of 12 climbers, the oldest by 12 years, to make the ascent. In the space of 4 days the temperature changed from 30 C to -10 C. At 5,000m (that's nearly 4 times the height of Ben Nevis!!) Rosemary felting the effects of the reduced oxygen levels and, with almost another 9,000m to the crater rim, decided to call a halt, knowing there was still a 1 in 3 descent down shale. Rosemary was nominated by Iris Kirby and unanimously seconded by all members of NWR Group which felt immensely proud of her achievement and of her determination to take on such an ambitious challenge.