Heading for the top!

Tuam woman aiming to reach summit of Kilimanjaro

EXCITED and feeling well, Tuam’s Caroline Heffernan nearly has her bags packed for her departure on Monday ahead of her attempt to climb South Africa’s highest peak – Mount Kilimanjaro.

It’s the biggest challenge the mother and grandmother has taken on for her ongoing fundraising efforts for Cystic Fibrosis Ireland – a disease she has successfully lived with for more than 50 years.

Caroline has been training for 5,800-metre-high hike for the past year. She will walk up Croagh Patrick this week and laughs that hopefully it will be for the last time! “I first did the Reek about 20 years ago and I think I’ve done it at least 20 times in the past few months so I’ve no yearning to do it ever again!” Caroline told The Tuam Herald.

It's not just her own bag she has been getting packed. In her hallway there are at least another 12 cases that are full of medical and other essential supplies that have been donated locally which will be donated to a charity in Tanzania. The Plaster House in Arusha supports children with disabilities and provides a life-changing experience to these vulnerable children…

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