Zoe Shackleton conquered Machu Picchu, trekking the Inca trail in Peru.[/caption]
2019 was a rather EPIC year for Zoe Shackleton.
In 2018, Zoe decided to do some fundraising for Northampton General Hospital and to take on the mighty challenge of trekking the Inca trail to Machu Picchu in Peru in order to do this.
“The oncology ward, Talbot Butler, looked after both my parents during their cancer treatment and Gosset saved my nephew’s life when he was born premature,” Zoe explained, “Therefore, I’d like to give something back.”
A huge challenge like this requires a great deal of commitment to training and Zoe made sure she was all over this.
It certainly wasn’t an easy ride, especially after a fall last February resulted in her tearing the LCL ligament in her knee.
Ouch!!
Thankfully, Zoe looked after this in the right way and in addition to the many training walks, she went on to complete the Loros King Power Stadium Twilight Walk in April with her mum.
A climb up Snowdon followed this, which also gave Zoe her first camping experience.
“This was a massive achievement for me, I’m all about that 5* hotel life,” she added.
With the trek drawing ever nearer: May, June & July saw Zoe complete the 26.2 mile London Moonwalk dressed in a disco-themed bra; a second 26.2 mile Moonwalk in Edinburgh, “Where there are far more hills, worse weather and I was wearing a circus-themed bra!” Then, for the final month before the challenge Zoe focussed on training hikes and cramming in as many spin classes as she could.
Then it was trek-time and Zoe admits it was something completely out of her comfort zone to be swapping 5* hotels for a tent on the side of a mountain!
“It was an absolutely amazing trip and I’m so proud to have completed it.
Even if the altitude was an absolute killer!”
All of those training events were massive challenges in and of themselves!
As well as completing these and the mammoth trek to Machu Picchu, Zoe organised two hugely successful charity balls in Decembers 2018 and 2019.
Another couple of donations have come in since Zoe came in last week to present the funds raised so the grand total is now at an astronomical £5,456!!
Thank you so much Zoe, for wanting to give back to the hospital, completing such a year of EPIC challenges and raising such a huge amount.
This means £2,728 each for Gosset & Talbot Butler wards, who will use the money to enhance patient care and experience.
Thank you so much for making a massive difference!
Zoe came in to present the fantastic amount she raised to Gosset ward staff.