CLIMBING Africa’s highest mountain is the challenge ahead for a Pinchbeck musician hoping to raise at least £10,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.
Auran Lyonheart (26) will climb Mount Kilimanjaro next February with close friend Peter Ilett whose son has a rare condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome affecting the skin, joints and blood vessels.
There is extra motivation for Auran, a member of Spalding band Verax, to make the climb as his girlfriend Charli Roberts-Fogarty (22) also has the condition.
Auran said: “Ever since I was a three-year-old, I’ve wanted to do something completely and utterly amazing.
“Peter rang me up one day and said there were details about a Kilimanjaro trek on Great Ormond Street Hospital’s website, so I signed up.
“I’m absolutely terrified about it, but the excitement of doing it outweighs the terror.”
Auran, whose name comes from a computer game, is training hard by doing an hour’s walk every day and walking on a treadmill at the Castle Sports Complex in Spalding.
He also plans to walk up Mount Snowdon in the next few months as a trial run before next year’s 19,635ft Kilimanjaro trek.
Auran said: “Peter’s son was in Great Ormond Street Hospital for two weeks in June and he told me about the work they do there.
“A couple of businesses have sponsored me, including Fowler Welch of Spalding which donated some climbing equipment and Franks & Co Solicitors in Sheffield who donated £200.
“People ask me if I’m going to make it and I know that when I want to give up, the thought of what my girlfriend and Peter’s son have to go through every day will be drilled into my head.”
To sponsor Auran, visit www.justgiving.com/lyonheart