Last updated at 17:00, Friday, 11 January 2013

TWO sisters have been forced to postpone a charity fund-raising climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro due to health complications.

A recent health scare for breast cancer survivor, Sophie Kitson, has prompted the climb to be put back. However, Mrs Kitson’s sister, Lara Grant, will go it alone if needs be to raise money for Breast Cancer Campaign.

The Kilimanjaro trip has been postponed from March until September after doctors advised Mrs Kitson, who has been living in San Francisco for 17 years, to have further tests in case of a “possible relapse”.

Mrs Grant and Mrs Kitson had been training and fundraising for the Sisters to the Summit trek since October last year to raise money for the charity.

Prior to finding out about the potential relapse, Mrs Grant said she was struggling to make contact with her sister in America.

Mrs Grant said: “She had a few health complications and doctors have said she had to be reassessed. It is likely to be a little cyst.”

Mrs Kitson, who has undergone a full body scan and tests, is still determined to overcome the setback and to take on the challenge. However, Barrow resident Mrs Grant is hopeful her sister will get the all clear and be able to join her.

Mrs Grant, originally from Ulverston, said: “We just need to make sure she is fit to climb. It’s just a waiting game for her.”

Mrs Grant has said if she has to she will do the Kilimanjaro trek alone.

She said: “I will go by myself so at least I am raising money for the charity.”

The mum, who also works at Pets at Home, plans to organise future events in February to keep marching towards her goal of £3,500 to raise before the climb.

Mrs Grant held a fundraising music event at the Nines, Barrow, in November last year to drum up support and funds for the charity. She said: “The fundraising total stands at £1,650 which is amazing.”

Mrs Grant, who runs the micro-chipping business Pawfect Pets, said she had big ambitions for the money she hopes to raise for the cause.

She said: “I am going to carry on fundraising for the both of us.”

First published at 16:24, Friday, 11 January 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk