THE omens for an Ilkley woman's assault on Mount Kilimanjaro might seem rather bleak following her son's dramatic exploits on Ben Nevis.

Tom Metcalfe broke both his wrists on a mountain expedition just weeks before his mother departs for Tanzania.

A dramatic mountain rescue and helicopter operation was launched to pluck the Ilkley youngster to safety and fly him to a hospital equipped to cope with his injuries.

However, this episode has not deterred his determined mother from tackling a large peak of her own.

Jenny Metcalfe, 45, of Alexandra Crescent, is about to tackle Africa's highest mountain but her son has stolen some of the limelight following an air rescue episode on the UK's highest mountain.

Tom, 14, a pupil at Ilkley Grammar School,was enjoying a weekend in Scotland with his father, Paul, when he found himself the centre of attention.

He said: "I had climbed Ben Nevis and was exploring the valley of Glen Nevis.

"I grabbed hold of a rope swing but I fell on to the grass with my wrists beneath me."

Fortunately one of the group had a mobile telephone and the Ben Nevis mountain rescue team arrived an hour-and-a-half later.

Tom was driven to Fort William Hospital but his wrist injuries were so severe he had to be flown to a hospital in Inverness.

The youngster, now recovering from his injuries, is extremely grateful to all those who helped him. "Everyone was just brilliant," he said.

Tom's thoughts are now turning to his Mum's African adventure. "I only found out aboput it today (Tuesday) and I was quite surprised.

"It's just like her though and I'm sure she'll have a great time."

"Let's just hope she comes back in one piece, unlike me," he joked.

Tom hit the headlines north of the border without planning to but his mother would love to make the news for all the right reasons.

Mrs Metcalfe, a personal trainer, is taking up the challenge to raise funds for the NSPCC. She has already raised £300 and is hoping to raise considerably more.

"Being a personal trainer I am quite fit anyway.

"I have been doing a variety of training exercises, walking short distances at a fast pace and longer distances at a slower pace," she said.

"I've always been fond of adventures so I thought this would certainly be an experience I wouldn't forget," she said.

Mrs Metcalfe is excited about the challenge of conquering a mountain which rises to more than 19,000 feet.

"The preparation is very important. You are going through jungle at the bottom of Kilimanjaro but it gets much much colder the higher you go," she said.

Mrs Metcalfe is hoping her regular clients will dig deep to boost her fundraising attempts.

"This is the first time I have really revealed what I am hoping to do.

"I hope I will get the support I am looking for," said Mrs Metcalfe.

The Ilkley woman's adventure begins on September 25 and she hopes to be a clutching 'I did it' certificate on October 10.

"It should certainly provide some view from the top of Kilimanjaro, don't you think," she said.

She joked: "If other people think they have what it takes, perhaps they should find themselves a good personal trainer."

Anybody who would like to sponsor Jenny can contact her on 01943 607129.

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