Sylvia starts jungle trek for Action Cancer

It was a cold wintry morning on Saturday when Sylvia arrived at Belfast City Airport to set out on the first part of her journey to trek in the Costa Rican jungle. She joined up with nine other participants for the ten-day trek in aid of Northern Ireland’s leading local cancer charity.

Sylvia has spent the last year raising funds and training for this amazing challenge. Amongst other events she organised the successful Larne Talent Contest which took place in the Highways Hotel in November.

However, she will earn every bit of her sponsorship when she takes on extreme temperatures of over 30 degrees and treks for continuous days over uneven and mountainous terrain while exploring Costa Rica’s cloud forests and the footfalls of the country’s highest peak, Mount Chirripi.

Sylvia will be helping Action Cancer to provide life-saving services such as breast screening (40-49 and 70+), men’s MOT health checks, health promotion for workplaces, community groups and schools, counselling and complementary therapy for people living with cancer as well as their families. All services are available from the Action Cancer clinic in Belfast or regionally on their Big Bus. The local charity relies entirely on voluntary contributions and must raise 3.6 million each year to provide its life-saving services.

Action Cancer events and PR officer, Leigh Chamberlain, said that Sylvia had been a great supporter of Action Cancer this year.

“I would like to thank everyone in the local area who helped her to reach her target. Everyone on the trek has their own reason for supporting Action Cancer, whether they have been affected by cancer themselves, know someone close to them who have been diagnosed or simply want a new challenge, everyone has the same determination and dedication to raise vitals funds for the charity. I wish her all the best in her challenge,” she said.

All money raised from Trek Costa Rica will remain within Northern Ireland helping people within the local community. If you would like to contribute to Sylvia’s trek fund please contact Action Cancer on the below number.

Meanwhile, would you be interested in participating in an overseas trek? Action Cancer are looking for people to sign up for their 2011 treks to Cambodia and the African Tribal Challenge. Places are limited so for more information please call 028 9080 3369 or e-mail [email protected]