Rachael Elms gets ready to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in memory of brother Corporal Liam Elms

Oct 22 2009 by Michael Byrne, Ormskirk Advertiser

A STUDENT has been overwhelmed by the response to her mountain climbing appeal in memory of her brother who died while serving in Afghanistan.

Rachael Elms is attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest mountain – to raise money for the injured servicemen’s charity Help For Heroes.

She was inspired to do the climb after her brother Corporal Liam Elms was killed while serving in Afghanistan in New Years Day. He was just 26.

Rachael has smashed through her initial target of £10,000 and the total on her justgiving page currently stands at £13,617 with more to be added on.

Rachael, who flies out tomorrow to start her climb, said: “I never thought I would reach £10,000 and I can’t believe how much money has been donated. I only started raising money in July so to have got so much in such a short space of time is fantastic.

“Everytime I go on the site smeone else has donated some money. It just shows how much Liam’s death has touched people’s hearts.”

Rachael has been busy preparing for her trip and the family have all been helping her get ready for it.

She said: “I feel good about the trip and I am trying to keep positive. My family has been very supportive of me, even though my nan has been panicking and saying she wishes I had already ndone the trip.”

To donate to the cause go to www.justgiving.com/Rachael-Elms