Anthony’s charity high hopes pay off (From St Helens Star)
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Anthony’s charity high hopes pay off
7:00am Saturday 26th January 2013 in News By Stephen Mather, Senior reporter
Epic: Anthony Wright takes in a stunning view during his climb.
A DEDICATED teacher spent Christmas climbing the highest peak in Africa to raise money to send sick children to Lourdes.
Anthony Wright, who has taught children in Africa and the Czech Republic, turned his back on mince pies and presents to climb Kilimanjaro.
The 32-year-old, originally from Sutton Manor, reached the summit on Christmas Eve, a day earlier than expected, and has so far raised more than £2,500.
Currently teaching at the most expensive school in the world, College Beau Soleil, in Switzerland, Anthony said: “We picked up the pace of the climb so I could make sure that my porters were able to spend at least part of Christmas Day with their families, as I found out that trek operators don’t pay them extra for working on public holidays. But the experience was breathtaking and not just because of the lack of oxygen at 19,000 feet.
“The teamwork with the guide and porters was fantastic, and the emotion reaching the summit, just after watching a stunning sunrise after more than five hours of climbing through the night, was something special.”
Within touching distance of his target of £3,000, he thanked Star readers for their support, adding: “At least four extra special children from Merseyside will get to go to Lourdes this Easter.”
