A Co Tyrone woman was on top of the world recently after she climbed Mount Everest in aid of a local disability charity.
Keen Omagh climber Leona Carson made the epic trek to Island Peak on the Nepal mountain range for Omagh Riding for the Disabled Association, where she has been a volunteer for the last 14 years.
Leona told MyTyrone she was ecstatic once she had reached the peak, although there were points where she felt she may have had to give up.
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“It took every ounce of my strength to get up there,” Leona said.
“At one point we were going across a glacier and there was an 80-90% gradient so it was basically climbing straight up.
“It’s easily the most difficult thing I have ever done, but that feeling when you get to the top is just something else.”
Leona added making it to Everest has always been a dream of hers, and was afraid it may not happen after the trip was cancelled twice due to Covid 19.
“I had originally organised it as a bit of a 40th birthday present to myself. Obviously April 2020 came and went and I couldn’t go because of the restrictions.
“Then the following year it was cancelled and I started to think if this was ever going to happen.
“I was just so thankful I was able to do it and reach the summit, there’s something special about being able to challenge and push yourself to your absolute limit.”
The Omagh Riding for Disabled Association has been going for more than 25 years and has been providing an outlet for those in the area with disabilities to take part in equestrian activities.
If you would like to donate to Leona’s fundraiser you can click here.
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