Trekkers’ lip sync battle

A father and daughter set to take part in a charity trek up Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, have organised a lip sync battle to boost their fundraising total for Beaumond House Community Hospice.

Alec Parkin, 40, and Emma, 17, of Lacey Green, Balderton, are hosting a disco that will feature the lip sync event at the Deincourt Hotel, Newark, on January 23.

Tickets are on sale for £10 and the duo are hoping that if they sell out the evening could raise about £1,000.

Mr Parkin said the lip sync battle was ideal for people who, like himself, enjoyed karaoke but could not sing.

“It gives you the chance to concentrate more on your performance without worrying what you sound like so we hope people will come along and have a bit of fun,” he said.

“We thought it was a good excuse to have a bit of a party before we set off.”

Mr Parkin, a long-distance lorry driver, signed up for the challenge after deciding that as he had reached 40 he wanted a challenge.

When Emma heard of his plan she asked to take part and has been allowed time off school.

'I have a mixture of feelings - excitement and abject terror'

They have prepared for the trek by walking in Derbyshire at weekends to build up their stamina. They also climbed up Snowdon, Wales.

“I was OK walking up Snowdon and didn’t find that too much of a problem,” said Mr Parkin. “I found it more difficult coming down, but there is a good support network on the trek.

“I have a mixture of feelings — excitement and abject terror.”

Emma is studying A-levels at The Newark Academy and also helps with trampoline and gymnastics classes in Balderton. She said her school had been supportive about her challenge.

Mr Parkin has met the cost of the trek and their equipment and the duo hope to collect about £3,000.

They will join three other trekkers on the trip raising money for the hospice — Newark Salvation Captain Mr Matt Elsey, retired university lecturer Mr Stewart Mireylees, from Bingham, and his daughter, Stephanie.

Mr Elsey said he wanted a new challenge. He is a chaplain at the hospice and said he had seen the love and care given by staff and volunteers.

Mr Mireylees, who took part in the Beaumond House challenge to climb the three highest peaks in the Moroccan Atlas Mountains last year, said he was a keen walker and would be combining something he enjoyed doing with raising money for a good cause.

The walkers will trek along the Machame Route to reach the top of Kilimanjaro — the highest free-standing mountain in the world.

They will set off on January 27 and are due to return on February 6.