Touching family tribute as South Yorkshire pair prepare to take on major charity challenge

24 May 2017

Two South Yorkshire men are preparing to take on the challenge of a lifetime next month – in memory of family members who have lost their lives to cancer.

School friends Dan Hart and Calvin Marsland, from Stocksbridge, north Sheffield, are gearing up for their final fundraising push before their charity climb of Mount Kilimanjaro which is on target to raise an amazing £35,000 for Weston Park Cancer Charity.

Dan is taking on the challenge in memory of his Dad Adrian Hart and Aunty, Alison Hart and Calvin is climbing the iconic mountain in memory of his Mum Kelsey Marsland who lost her battle with cancer in 2015.

It will take them six days to complete the climb which has been organised by World Expeditions and the pair will be flying out to Tanzania on June 9th to take on their challenge.

Standing 5,895m (19,341 feet) Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain and one of the world’s most iconic climbs.

Over the last 12 months the pair have taken on challenges including the Three Peaks and Mount Snowdon and have even sold a special Mount Kili charity beer to help their fundraising target.

Before they set off Dan and Calvin are now planning a final fundraising push with a special charity balloon launch in memory of their family members and to give friends and family a chance to wish them well in their challenge.

The event will take place on Friday June 2nd at 2pm at Fox Valley in north Sheffield during the centre’s busy Friday Market which will also have extra entertainment to give Dan and Calvin a big send off from their local community.

Calvin said: “This is something Dan has wanted to do for a long time. I lost my Mum in 2015 just before her 50th birthday and this just seemed like the right time to do something that would raise money for Weston Park and also be a tribute to the family members we have both lost to cancer.

Dan added: “We’ve been planning this for such a long time - it will be quite emotional I’m sure when we get to the summit.

“We’ve had such an amazing amount of support from everyone and we hope lots of people will come along and wish us luck at the event at Fox Valley on June 2nd.”

Centre Manager at Fox Valley, Annabel Plumtree said “It is a real pleasure to support Dan and Calvin with their challenge to raise lots of money for such a fantastic cause which obviously means so much to them both.

“We’d like to wish them both the very best of luck with their challenge from everyone at Fox Valley.”
If you would like to support Dan and Calvin balloons are available to buy in advance from their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/kilimanjarowestonpark

For further information about this and other events at Fox Valley visit www.foxvalleysheffield.co.uk/events

Pictures show Calvin (left) and Dan (right) preparing for their big challenge at Fox Valley)

For further information, contact:

Public Relations Department, Dransfield Properties Ltd
Tel: 01226 360644
Email: admin@dransfield.co.uk