Emotional trek for charity

Lucy Dawe, 29, from letting agency Lawton & Dawe, was successful in her high-peak African challenge and raised £3,000 for Spinal Research and Worthing Churches Homeless Projects (WCHP).

Lucy, of Kingston Bay Road, described the trek as the hardest thing she had ever done.

Lucy said: “The climb to the summit was the hardest because we started at midnight. Walking in -10 degrees in pitch black was tough. At about 4am, I felt like I couldn’t carry on but, lucky for me, the whole team encouraged me and when the sun came up I got renewed energy.

“Uhuru Peak was incredible, it felt like I was standing on the top of the world.

“I will remember turning up at the airport alone feeling incredibly frightened and a little defeatist, then as each day went on, feeling stronger and more confident.

“I was overwhlemed with emotion when I got to Stella Point. I am very proud of myself and the team for achieving this.”

A typical day started at 5.30am and with only a 20-minute break would wind down at 5pm when the group reached the next camp spot.

Lucy added: “I’m looking at trekking the Great Wall of China next, much to my mother’s horror.”

Lucy’s fundraising attempts are far from over as she already plans to run the Brighton Marathon.

To add to the celebrations Lucy and Lawton & Dawe have been shortlisted for the national Negotiator Awards in the Community Champion of the Year category.