The name Hannah Shields is one that you
may recognise as the first woman from Northern Ireland to conquer Mt
Everest. What is less well known about her is the support she has given
to the Ulster Cancer Foundation for many years.
Hannah
had already attempted Everest a few years ago but was forced to turn
back just 100m from the summit. She was tantalisingly close but that
final push may well have resulted in injuries to herself or others in
her team. Hannah found it was one of the hardest decisions to turn round
but, not one to give up, she was determined to have another go. She
trained harder and meticiously prepared every aspect of her second attempt,
from her clothing and diet, to better dealing with her asthma. She says,
"On the first attempt I was intimidated by the mountain and the
calibre of the people around me trying to climb it. This time I knew
I could do it and the Derry flag is planted on top of Everest to prove
it!"
Although
always keen on school sports Hannah, who is now in her early 40's, only
took up running after a serious illness in her late 20's. Her motivation,
which grew out of her illness, is simple - she doesn't believe in the
words "I can't". This might explain the determination and
commitment with which she undertook a gruelling training regime in the
Canadian Arctic before spending 10 weeks on Everest. Conquering the
treacherous mountain was not helped by the difficulties of communication
with a Russian speaking team!
Her
motivation to help the Ulster Cancer Foundation comes from the
time when her brother had cancer. The continual support through their
helpline was invaluable, especially for her parents. Hannah does not
look for sponsorship to fund her climbing activities, preferring where
possible to raise money and awarenesss for the charity. She has participated
in some of their Ben Nevis expeditions and gets a great kick out of
seeing people achieve something they didn't think they could do. She
says, "the charity needs continual support from people as medical
care and research become more and more demanding. All the small things
people do to help raise funds and awareness add up."
As
for Hannah, she is still training with the City of Derry Spartans for
more endurance and cross country events and for the girl who conquered
Everest, everything is possible!
