theclubandspa fitness club helped to train a valued member for the trek of a lifetime to raise vital funds for one of the UK’s leading Cancer charities.

Club and Spa at Hoole Hall member Emma Carr, 32, from Chester recently embarked on a six-day trek up Mount Kilimanjaro, the third largest mountain in the world whilst raising money for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

As a founding member of the Club and Spa, Emma was able to explain her challenge to the experienced personal training team early on and receive the best possible programme suitable for her mammoth trek.

Emma says: “I had great support from the staff at the Club and Spa from the very beginning. I was at the gym four to five times a week and also spent time with the club’s personal trainers.

“The General Manager also kindly allowed me to fundraise outside the Club and Spa on spinning bikes for several hours with a collection bucket.”

After two years of planning, training and of course fundraising, Emma journeyed to Africa with her friend Hannah Morris to begin the biggest challenge of her life and climb the world’s largest freestanding volcano.

Emma and Hannah formed part of a 30 strong group of trekkers ascending the Rongai route of the mountain.

Emma continues: “There were no luxuries along the way and temperatures soared on the lower altitudes and soon became freezing higher up. The group had varying effects of altitude sickness along the way but we all kept going regardless.

“On the very last stretch of the trek I walked for 17 hours straight, which seemed to be the longest day of my life, with so many mixed emotions from elation to despair.

“I didn’t think I could be so physically exhausted, but I got through it. I have no doubt that without the training at the Club and Spa I would have not made it to the top.”

Both Emma and Hannah raised £8,750 towards the total of £110,000 raised collectively by the trekking group.

Darren Dixon, General Manager of the Club and Spa at Hoole Hall, says: “Emma’s Kilimanjaro feat is absolutely inspirational and her efforts have raised an impressive total for charity.

“We encourage all our members, new and old, to inform us of their training requirements and we will do everything in our power to help boost fundraising efforts and also assist with vital training.”

The Club and Spa at Hoole Hall is tucked away within the Victorian walled garden of DoubleTree by Hilton Chester. The multi-million pound, purpose-built facility boasts a next generation gym and an industry leading spa, set over three spacious floors.

For more details about the Club and Spa Hoole Hall or enquires on membership and personal training please call 01244 408840 email info@theclubandspa.co.uk or click on www.theclubandspachester.co.uk.