A DETERMINED pharmacy manager from Coventry has tackled North Africa’s highest peak to raise a mountainous £30,000 for a hospital charity.
Spectacular scenery on day one of the climb.
Deepak Lodhia, Clinical Services Manager for Pharmacy at The Meriden Hospital, climbed the 4,167ft-tall Mount Toubkal in just three days, battling temperatures ranging from 20°C to -15°C.
The money raised will fund life changing medical equipment at Nuneaton’s George Eliot Hospital.
Deepak and his colleagues were part of a 17-person team which set out from Marrakesh to conquer Mount Toubkal, which is the highest peak in the Atlas Mountain range and requires immense skill to navigate.
Deepak said: “I’ve always believed in challenging myself.
“Climbing Mount Toubkal wasn’t just about reaching the top. It was about stepping outside my comfort zone to raise as much as possible for a cause that helps thousands of people each year.”
From day two of the expedition, the conditions became much harder, firstly climbing down the equivalent of the previous day’s climb and then an ascent of 3,500m – the equivalent of scaling Mount Snowdon three times.
“It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done,” Deepak said. “We were told the weather was turning and that this would be our only window to summit.
“It was tough – physically, mentally and emotionally. But the cause was so important to all of us, so we had to continue.”
Battling against temperatures of -15°C, strong winds, snow and ice, they began the final climb. Out of the 17 climbers, nine – including Deepak – suffered with altitude sickness. Just 500m from the summit, they had to turn back. The eight remaining members of the team reached the summit in six hours, proudly holding The Meriden Hospital t-shirt Deepak had brought with him to display on the summit.
He said: “It wasn’t easily to stop so close to the summit, but safety had to come first. I am so proud of what we achieved as a team.”
More snow, the effects of altitude sickness and exhaustion pushed the team as they made their way back down the valley to their final overnight stop.
Deepak said: “When you work in a hospital, you see first-hand the importance of teamwork. On that final descent we kept each other going. It really was a test of resilience. The whole experience gave me a new appreciation for nature, teamwork and the inner strength we all have inside us.”
The team at the summit.
Now safely back in the UK, Deepak and his fellow climbers are delighted with their £30,000 total – money which will go directly to the George Eliot Hospital Charity to fund new medical equipment and wellbeing initiatives for staff working in the Breast Care Cancer Unit.
Deepak added: “If you asked me now whether I’d do it again – my answer would be yes! The charity does such incredible work in our community and to be able to support them to do that work is a special feeling.
“My colleague at The Meriden Hospital have been incredibly supportive and without them this wouldn’t have been possible. I’m incredibly proud of the team for what we achieved in support of such a great cause.”
