September 2015 will be the month when Penryn’s own action woman, Lorraine Pascoe, will take her campaign for, ‘Children’s Hospice Care’, to the next level, trekking for seven days on the Mt Kilimanjaro Machame route to Africas highest peak.
For the last year Lorraine has hosted a number of fundraising events and donated her own money to raise a target of £3,000 that will see her pushing herself to her furthest limit to date in order to help families of children with life-limiting and life-threatening illnesses.
For Lorraine life is about taking every moment and making it a precious memory, very much in keeping with the, ‘CHSW’, ethos. ‘Encouraging and supporting families to spend time together, exploring their world and taking the best out of every moment together is the most valuable experience in life.’ Said Lorraine.
Lorraine’s determination to push her personal boundaries began before the birth of her children, training several times a week not just in an effort to be her physical best but as a way of focussing an extremely over active mind. When her children were born the physical changes and demands of parenthood threw this focus into a whole new direction that she admits came as a huge shock. ‘It’s true, nothing can prepare you for motherhood. I had to really come to terms with my body, my time and even my mind not being my own anymore. So I looked for a new challenge and a new focus that would benefit my children as much as me, and I want other families to benefit from that too. My family appreciates how extremely blessed we are to be healthy and strong and we want to use this as a way of benefiting other families and hopefully to inspire others to do the same.’
Since returning to training, Lorraine has run her first ½ marathon as well as completing two, Tuff-Enuff, challenges, she has even managed to abseil down the National Maritime Museum with the marines. ‘That was a great day and another great opportunity to push boundaries and grow again in confidence. I just happened to be there when they were doing it and said can I have a go at that?’ Her children have been with her all the way experiencing mini adventures, camping out over night, den building, climbing in the woods and getting actively involved in community projects. ‘Spending every day with my children and helping them to explore and be involved in the world around them is the best education and we are making so many great memories together. ‘
Lorraine’s latest challenge is her most demanding yet and one that she will be completing alone. ‘Of course I am nervous. I have no idea what to expect other than it’s going to be tough. It’s another stage to my life adventure and one I hope will make even the tiniest difference to the families CHSW work with every day. Seven days of hard trekking knowing my children are at home waiting for our next adventure is almost certain. The families I am doing this for have no idea what tomorrow will bring.’
For more information visit this link to Lorraine’s Kilimanjaro Charity Trek 2015 page.
