Laxey woman Roisin Booth has successfully completed her climb of Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Society UK – and, since her first target of ?2000 was smashed in less than a week, has gone on to raise over ?5,000.

Roisin, who attended Laxey primary school, Ramsey Grammar School and then gained a first class degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Edinburgh in 2012, decided to challenge herself with this climb, choosing the MS Society in honour of her friend’s Mum who is faced with the challenges of this incurable condition every day.

“I’m lucky,” says Roisin, “I’m fit and healthy and don’t need to face the challenges people with MS do. For some people with Multiple Sclerosis, like my friend’s Mum, symptoms come and go and every day can be different. For others, the condition progresses and disabilities get worse – for them, even climbing stairs can be impossible. Climbing Kilimanjaro – and don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t all fun and games – was a doddle in comparison.”

Having followed her degree with professional ICAS accountancy qualifications earlier this year, Roisin works in finance for RBS in Edinburgh, and found the Highlands on her doorstep a fantastic training ground for Kilimanjaro, although not as high or as cold. The trek along the Lemosho route took 8 days, with the summit hike starting at midnight on Friday 2nd September. Roisin reached the top seven hours later, at 7am, having had to chip ice from her insulated water bottle to keep hydrated.

“It doesn’t matter what you’ve read or what you’re told,” says Roisin, “nothing prepares you for the lack of oxygen, about half of that at sea level, or the amazing views. My friends will be staggered to know that for once, I actually was speechless.”

Suzy Holland, the original ‘inspiration’ for Roisin’s climb, laughs at this. “When Ro announced last Christmas that she was going to climb Kili for the MS Society, it was me that was speechless. I’m not sure why she thinks I’m an inspiration – I just get on with it – but I’ve benefitted from the help and support of the MS Society on the Island and via the UK helpline and know that this is only possible because of people like Ro and those who’ve sponsored her. I’m in awe of what she’s done and how much she’s raised, and can’t thank her enough.”

Derek Patience, chairman of the local Multiple Sclerosis branch, adds his congratulations:

“Climbing Kilimanjaro is something most people with multiple sclerosis can only dream of doing, so the fact that Roisin has done this for the MS Society and raised so much money which will go to help anyone with this devastating and so-far incurable condition is incredible. The MS Society UK invests over ?4 million in research every year, research which would not happen without people like Roisin and her generous sponsors and I’m confident that one day a cure will be found."

Closer to home, and with no danger of altitude sickness, the local branch of the MS Society has organised what has become its annual fundraising event – an abseil down the TT Grandstand tower on Saturday 1 October which is open to anyone over the age of 16, with MS or not, who fancies a challenge of their own. Many people with multiple sclerosis themselves have taken part in the past, and will be climbing their way up the stairs to the top again this year, with help, with sticks or even with walking frames. The Venture Centre staff who are in charge are fully qualified, and able to help anyone who needs it and Suzy, who was one of the first to 'go over the top' for the MS Society in 2014 says it was one of the best things she’s ever done:

“It took me an age to get up the stairs, my climb over the railings was particularly ungraceful, I looked ridiculous in the helmet but the abseil down was nothing short of thrilling. I’ll never climb Kilimanjaro like Roisin has done, but the TT Tower Abseil is a great way to raise money and awareness of the local branch of the MS Society. Do it – and if you can’t, please sponsor someone!”

You can support the Abseil by going to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Derek-Patience, and you can contact Derek on 07624 480755 or email him at derekpatience@hotmail.com to learn more about the work of the MS Society Isle of Man. And there’s still chance to sponsor Roisin too www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Roisin-climbs-kili.

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