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Aiming high for Kieron
From the archive, first published Thursday 9th Mar 2006.
A Bispham mum who lost her `miracle' son in a tragic accident hopes to raise almost £20,000 in his memory by climbing Africa's highest mountain.
Carer Cheryl Cunliffe will mark what would have been the 18th birthday of her only child, Kieron Horton, this October by tackling Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania with friend and colleague, Stephanie Barnes. Their ambitious fundraising target is £19,340, a pound for every step of the climb.
Kieron, a pupil at Montgomery High School, died tragically in 2002 when a cord he was wearing caught on a door handle, strangling him instantly.
"Kieron was my miracle child", said Cheryl, of Kelvin Road, Bispham: "I had two miscarriages and two ectopic pregnancies and the only way I would ever be able to have more children is through IVF treatment.
"My Kieron loved life and life loved him and I always called him my guardian angel."
Cheryl, who works with special needs children for Thornton Cleveleys childcare company, Safehands Network and is a member of St Thomas' parish church, was inspired to tackle Kilimanjaro after seeing an IMAX film about the mountain while travelling in California.
Cheryl and Stephanie, who are spending two days each week in the Lake District to prepare for the climb, have already made plans for when they reach the summit. They will don high heels and lipstick to blow kisses into the African sky for some fun pictures.
But, before setting off back to base camp, Cheryl will bury a small cross made of twigs close to the heavens, recalling Kieron's interest in astronomy, and say a private prayer.
All money raised will go to a community scheme Cheryl and Stephanie are planning along with staff at Montgomery as well as helping to buy a minibus for the 1st Norbreck scout group of which Kieron was a member. Fundraising has already been boosted with a £500 donation from Stephanie and Gary Farrer, owners of Safehands. Anyone wanting to sponsor Cheryl and Stephanie should contact Montgomery High School on 01253 356271, Cheques can be made payable to `Kieron's Memorial Fund.'
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