You would be forgiven for thinking that Jason Lowe, Partner and Chartered Financial Planner, deserved a well-earned rest after his epic cycling challenge in Portugal last year, alongside fellow Equilibrium Financial Planners, Andrew Hirst and David McKendrick (Portugal Peddlers). However, never one to pass up an opportunity to push his limits whilst raising money for four very worthwhile causes (see below), Jason decided to take on Mount Kilimanjaro.
After months of training, Jason was not only in peak physical fitness, but he was also extremely disciplined in deep breathing exercises, something which stood him in good stead on the summit ascent.
Jason, along with his friend, Mark Dunn, joined nine other intrepid travellers and a team of African guides to cross six ecological zones, from lush rainforest to the harsh, beautiful Arctic zone.
After four nights of limited sleep and five gruelling days of ascension, they set off for the final climb at just after midnight on the sixth day, arriving at the summit at 6.56am on 18 February – the temperature, a mere -22°.
Whilst the summit was the ultimate reward, it was not a moment to savour for long given the fact they were 5,895m above sea level. Jason recalled:
“We had to descend and fast. It became more urgent when my friend, Mark (Dunn), began to suffer with severe altitude sickness and frostbite, leaving him with purple fingers and thinking the guides were there to arrest him for stealing a pint of milk from the shop. He said he wasn’t going to talk without his lawyer being present – funny now, but worrying at the time when he was being airlifted off the mountain!”
Thankfully, Mark has almost made a full recovery and Jason can be seen walking the corridors of Ascot House once again.
Jason has smashed his original target of £10,000 and is truly humbled by everyone who has supported him:
“This must have been the toughest challenge that I have done so far. You can only train so much for a trek like this and whilst I felt like I had done enough, the mental strain of keeping pushing on my legs, when my lungs were screaming at me, was extremely tough, especially on the last climb.
I am constantly amazed by the generosity of our clients, friends, team and family for the amazing support, without which none of this would be possible. With the fantastic support of The Equilibrium Foundation, its matched funding on contributions and gift aid, we have raised a tremendous £32,000, giving a much-needed boost of £8,000 to each of our chosen charities. Thank you all so much!”
Jason (left) and friend, Mark (right)
The charity page is still open through the link below and any further donations would be greatly appreciated.
All proceeds will go to:
The vision of Reuben’s Retreat is to relieve the distress of families who have suffered the loss of a child or have a child suffering from a complex illness.
Since 1988, East Cheshire Hospice has been caring for people suffering from life-limiting illnesses. They put patients, their carers and families at the centre of everything they do.
For the past 20 years, Cancer Research UK has been making discoveries that save lives. However, cancer remains one of the world’s greatest health challenges.
Their mission is to provide services for individuals and their families living within North-East Wales and the border areas, who are living with a diagnosis of a progressive and/or life-limiting illness.
If you would like to donate, please visit Jason’s JustGiving page here (which closes on 14/04/23) or alternatively scan the QR code below:
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