Father to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Gaucher’s Association (From Gazette Series)

Dursley father to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for Gaucher’s Association

8:30am Monday 20th February 2012 in Gloucestershire news By Liza-Jane Gillespie

A FATHER from Dursley has headed for Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to help raise money and awareness of a rare condition.

Mark Histed, 41, who was once a photographer with the British Army, left for the African country last Thursday.

He is hoping to raise more than £2,500 for the Gaucher’s Association, which supports sufferers of the disease and their families.

Gaucher’s Association, based in Dursley, is a cause close to Mr Histed’s heart. His 17-year-old stepdaughter Maddie has suffered from the condition for 15 years.

Gaucher’s disease is a genetic condition when the body does not break down fatty substances as it should and they accumulate in cells and certain organs, causing problems with the liver and skeleton.

Mr Histed, who now works at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in diabetic eye screening, said: "My stepdaughter has, over the last 15 years, had a great deal of support from the association, as it has provided us with friendship, support and up to date information on research, clinical trials and new treatments.

"The association relies solely on fundraising and by voluntary donations for its activities and I therefore decided I wanted to do something that would push me that little bit further and raise money for a very worthy cause."

Mr Histed, who has undergone three operations on his knees, will be trekking for seven days, six days up the mountain and one day back down.

He said: "I think it is fair to say that we all have people in life that we look up to as a source of inspiration and my stepdaughter is the person I look up to.

"Even with all the trials and tribulations that the disease and life in general brings her she refuses point blank to allow the disease to control her life. She is a source of inspiration to me."

To show your support or sponsor Mr Histed visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/markkilimanjaro