Liverpool yoga teacher’s Moroccan mountain trek for hospice which cared for her dad

A Liverpool yoga teacher is about to embark on an extreme Moroccan mountain climb to raise money for the hospice which cared for her dad.

Sarah McGlory will trek up Mount Toubkal, starting in 32-degree temperatures and reaching below freezing at the top.

Setting off on Bank Holiday Monday, May 4, she hopes to make it to the peak in the early hours of Tuesday.

And with a fundraising goal for Woodlands Hospice in Fazakerley, she’s determined not to let anything stop her.

“Last weekend the hiking group I’m in did the Three Peaks to get us ready and I was OK with it, so I know I’m fit enough, I’m probably the fittest I’ve ever been, the only thing I’m worried about is the altitude,” she says.

“But I think the name of the game is to keep something in the tank because of how long and how hot it is at first, pace yourself then get some rest at the stop-off and have food to give us energy.

“I’ll be 32 degrees at the bottom, and then as we get towards the hostel where we spend the night apparently you feel the temperature dip and it’s freezing. 

“We’ll be sleeping at the hostel and then we get up at 2am, get our winter gear and our head torches on and we do the summit which is the hardest part; it’s going to be pitch black and probably snowing.

“We might be lucky, I’ve read that sometimes the ice at the top is mostly melted, but it’s a challenge. My mind’s already done it, it’s my body I’ve got to think about.”

51-year-old Sarah, who lives in Fazakerley, says she always planned to do a fundraiser for Woodlands Hospice after her dad was looked after there.

“My dad passed away in there nearly eight years ago. He was 67 and as fit as a fiddle, he trained every day and played sport, but then he got stomach cancer. 

“It’s hard enough getting your head around the fact that somebody’s going to be leaving you, without trying to care for them as well and seeing them in pain. The hospice took all of that stress away and it’s such a happy place.

“I always said I’d do something for them after I lost my dad because they were fantastic, but then unfortunately two years later my mum died so I wasn’t in the right head space to do it, but now I am.

“I’ve just set up my own CIC, Unite 4 Growth, supporting vulnerable people through yoga and pilates, or just getting out and getting talking, and I thought this is the time to give back.

“I’m delighted I’ve decided to do the trek for the hospice and show them how much I appreciate what they did for us, and a lot of people I’ve spoken to have got a connection and feel the same.

“Doing the climb’s not going to be easy but life’s not easy is it? And if it’s about mind over matter I’ll be alright because I’m mentally strong. It’s just about preparation, making sure you’re fit and now I’ve got a purpose – doing it for Woodlands – it’s given me fire in my belly.”

Support Sarah’s trek up Mount Toubkal for Woodlands Hospice here.

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