4 June 2009
A doctor from Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust is set to take on the challenge of a lifetime this September, when she will climb two Himalayan peaks in an effort to raise money for charity.
Franca Serafini (50), an anaesthetist based at St Helier Hospital, will travel to Kathmandu in Nepal to conquer Lobuje East and Island Peak - both of which are 6,200 metres high.
Franca said: "I just can't wait to start climbing them! I decided to take on the challenge in 2005, when I had a revelation. I have a good job and a lovely family, but I realised that something was missing. I realised that 'something' was mountains.
"I was born in eastern Italy near the famous Dolomites Mountains, and climbing has been part of my life since I was two years old. But as I got older, I stopped climbing so much and I decided that I had to get back into it.
"This climb is something that I have wanted to do for a while, and it seemed like a perfect opportunity to raise funds and awareness for a really good cause. That's why I've decided to support the British Heart Foundation. They work tirelessly to support heart patients and their families through some very difficult times."
So passionate about climbing is Franca that she's studying for a diploma in mountain medicine. When she completes the course she could be temporarily posted at Everest's base camp and be on hand to treat mountaineers suffering from altitude sickness or minor injuries.
She said: "It's my dream to be able to help and give treatment to people that become sick as they're climbing. It's something I'm really excited about doing. Saying that though, I couldn't leave the hospital for good - I love working here."
Franca has paid for the expedition herself, and is now trying to raise money for the British Heart Foundation. If you would like to sponsor her, please contact her via her 'Just Giving' page at www.justgiving.com/francaserafini.
