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B&M Colleague Conquers Snowdon for Isla Rose Foundation

28 June 2022 - All UK and Northern Ireland Charity News,North West Charity News,South East Charity News

A B&M colleague, and over 30 other brave fundraiser participants, overcame the elements to climb Mt Snowdon in the name of a rare genetic disorder.

Kellie Walters led the expedition with her generous band of fundraising friends on the 3rd June, having arranged the sponsored trek up Wales’ highest peak in aid of the Isla Rose Foundation. The foundation aims to support people who suffer from Nonketotic Hyperglycinemia (NKH).

Isla was born in September 2018 and within the first few weeks of her life suffered seizures. After extensive testing her loving mother Sarah was informed her beautiful daughter had NKH. NKH is a rare, genetic, metabolic disorder, which prevents the breakdown of the amino acid glycine. Similar to other diabetic disorders the symptoms include low muscle tone, lethargy, seizures, coma, and apnea requiring ventilator support. With only 1 in 76,000 babies suffering from the rare disorder and only 500 current cases worldwide, funding and research investment is low.

Therefore, Kellie, the other climbers and all of us at B&M came together to help Isla on her journey and support the hundreds of other suffers from this tragic condition.

Kellie and the rest of the supportive team, embarked on the climb and battled against fierce weather conditions including thunder storms and harsh winds. Kellie herself comically remarked after the expedition, "I hadn’t read up that the number one dangers on a mountain was lightning - of course it started whilst we were at summit!"

However after being guided safely up to the summit and down by experienced guides, Kellie and the over 30 other fundraising team members completed the journey in 5 hours.

The fundraiser successfully raised over £3,356.50, and hopes to exceed that to further help treat and research NKH, in the hopes of saving future babies from the condition. 

Kellie herself commented on the experience and why she chose the Isla Rose Foundation:

"Over 30 of us (some facing their fears) climbed Snowdon for Isla, a little girl with Nonketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH). With her condition being so rare it means there is no government funding so they really do need every penny they can get for research.

"The weather wasn’t on our side with the thunder storm, however everyone made it to the summit and back down again safely! We have raised just over 3k which is just amazing!"

If you wish to help Kellie raise more funds for The Isla Rose Foundation please click the link below.

Fundraiser by Kellie Walters: Kellie’s Expedition to the Summit of Mt Snowdon (gofundme.com) in aid of The Isla Foundation.