A radiographer from Wythenshawe Hospital will next month take on a charity trek through Nepal in hopes of raising £500 for hard of hearing Nepalese children.
Peter Rooke, a Manchester-based radiographer, is embarking on the Langtang trek in an event organised by UK registered charity Adventure Boutique Foundation, which supports underprivileged communities around the world.
Mr Rooke’s journey will help renovate a residential school for hard of hearing children.
He explained: “[Renovating the school will] give them a chance of the best possible start in life.”
Altitudes up to 4,000 metres
The school is in an area devastated by the 2015 earthquake, which killed 9,000 people in nepal. The village of Langtang accounted for 243 of these deaths, and has been rebuilt by the local community following significant damage caused by the quake. Mr Rooke's trek includes a visit to the school, where the group of 20 will help in the renovation.
The journey takes place in a less trodden part of Nepal, from 15-24 May. The group will travel around 50 miles through the steep higher reaches of the Langtang valley. Some days will require eight hours or more, trekking at altitudes of up to 4,000 metres.
Mr Rooke added: “I have intended to go to the incredible country of Nepal for many years and experience the magnificent hospitality of the people who have very little.”
Inspired to help a great cause
The AB Found was created by Dr Rajiv Joshi, an experienced mountaineer, who was in the Himalayas in Nepal at the time of the earthquake, on his way to Everest base camp.
“I was inspired by Raj to do this with his charity to help with the great causes the charity supports, rather than just as a client on a tourist trip,” Mr Rooke said.
At 57 years old, Mr Rooke explained he is “simply trying to stay fresh and free from injuries.” He has climbed many of the mountains in Britain, including Ben Nevis and Snowdon, and has a “great love of the outdoors and nature.”
Mr Rooke joined Dr Joshi in climbing Kilimanjaro and some of the rest of the 20-person group around 20 years ago.
Having qualified as a radiographer in 1995, and worked at Wythenshawe Hospital for more than 20 years, Mr Rooke is a senior radiographer working in plain film, operating theatres fluoroscopy, and lithotripsy, treating patients with kidney stones.
To donate to Mr Rooke’s charity trek and support the AB Foundation’s goal, click here.
(Image: Boy_Anupong, via GettyImages)