English teacher climbs Kilimanjaro for meningitis girl

Jul 28 2011 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

English teacher climbs Kilimanjaro for meningitis girl Christie Holt

A TEACHER with a head for heights has embarked on a 10-day trek up Africa’s highest mountain to raise cash in memory of a Conwy Valley teenager.

Samantha Egelstaff-Thomas, 35, from Llanrwst, started her epic trek up Mount Kilimanjaro on Wednesday, and told the Weekly News the reasons behind her emotional challenge.

The head of English at Denbigh High School decided to climb the tallest free-standing mountain to help raise money for the Meningitis Trust, a charity close to her heart after her son’s girlfriend Christie Holt died of an advanced form of meningitis at Christmas.

“Christie's sudden death touched so many people. She was my son Connor’s girlfriend,” explained Samantha.

“It was a really sad time, especially so close to Christmas.

“Meningitis can attack anyone at any time. While I was at university I also lost a friend to it, and another close friend of mine lost her two-year-old to it.

“That’s why I want to raise money for the Trust as they make such a difference to so many people’s lives who have been affected by meningitis.”

Christie Holt, 14, from Trefriw, died 24 hours after complaining of a sore throat and headache in December 2010, just two days before Christmas.

After developing a rash, the Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy student was rushed to hospital but died of septicaemia.

Christie lived with mum Leila and stepdad Shaun Hamilton-Hunter.

Samantha added: “I will be climbing Kilimanjaro with my sister Stephanie and the actual climb will take us six days.

“I’ve done a fair bit of training, climbed Snowdon, and have done a 32k trek recently, but there is nothing that can prepare you for the altitude sickness. I’m determined to do it, I’m not against a challenge.”

Samantha, who will celebrate her first wedding anniversary to husband Richard, 36, while away, is no stranger to adventure as her father is explorer Robert Egelstaff, who was part of the first sea kayak crossing of the Bering Strait from Alaska to Siberia in 1989.

“My father has influenced my sense of adventure,” added Samantha, mum to Connor, 14, and three-year-old Oliver.

“But my main aim is to raise as much money as possible for the Meningitis Trust.

“There are a number of collection buckets in Spar, Pen y Bryn Hotel and the Royal British Legion, Llanrwst if anyone wants to donate or check out the Trust’s website at meningitis-trust.org.”

samantha.castle