Vietnam bound mother and son conquer Muckish with Lisneal expedition

WATERSIDE mother and son, Diana and Simon Parker, prepared for a once-in-a-lifetime trek through the Sa Pa mountains of North Vietnam by climbing Muckish with an expedition of charitable mountaineers from Lisneal College.
Lisneal's charitable mountaineers set off on their trek in Donegal.Lisneal's charitable mountaineers set off on their trek in Donegal.
Lisneal's charitable mountaineers set off on their trek in Donegal.

The pair are off to Hanoi tomorrow (October 24) and from there will take a sleeper train to the stunning Sa Pa range near the Chinese border.

They recently road-tested their calf muscles ahead of the epic march by climbing the third highest mountain in the Derryveagh range (2,185 feet) with a group of sixteen big-hearted pupils from Lisneal who in the process raised £743 for Action Cancer.

Diana explains: “The children and their PE teacher Mr Keith Ferguson were asked to try to raise a minimum of £50, which most of the pupils succeeded in doing with some exceeding that amount.

“Muckish is the most northern and second highest of the mountain chain called the seven sisters and stands a height of 2,185 feet and is the 163rd highest mountain in Ireland. Along with their teacher were six guides including Terence Parker who organised the climb with input from Donegal Mountain rescue. The total raised to date is £743.20.”

Diana - a nurse with the Western Trust - explained that all of the money has been given to Action Cancer as part of her and Simon’s fundraising activities.

The pair have pledged to raise £6,800.00 for the charity and tomorrow (October 24) they jet off to North Vietnam as part of their own challenge.

Action Cancer is the only charity in Northern Ireland offering digital breast screening to women aged 40- 49 and 70+, MOT health checks, male cancer awareness and support, counselling support services, complementary therapies and education to local people in Northern Ireland.

If you would like to sponsor Simon and Diana contact the Action Cancer head office, Belfast on 02890803344 for further information.

Related topics: