Browse Sections

• Education
• Roadworks
• Shipman
• Special reports

Ain’t no mountain high enough for Mike

Eve Dugdale
28/ 5/2008

AN accountant who told his mother he’d raise money for charity just before she died has scaled the heights to keep his word.

With no previous experience, Michael Harman, 25, completed a gruelling 30 mile trek at 14,000 foot across the Peruvian Andes to raise money for Macmillan nurses.

The charity helped his mother, Lynda Harman, of Hattersley Road West before she died of breast cancer 18 months ago.

"I did it in memory of my mum.

"She knew I was going to do it — I told her I was going to do it just before she passed away. She was only 52," said Michael, who works for city centre firm Baker Tilly.

Difficult

"I’ve never done anything like this and it was difficult.

"We were so high up you could barely breathe and it was really hot.

"Machu Picchu proved to be a bigger task than anticipated. On some days, it took us hours to walk just a few hundred metres.

"I was lucky to be part of a great team however and together we pulled each other through the many pain barriers we faced.

"I was keen to raise the money for Macmillan following the support it provided my mum a couple of years ago.

"The nurses were extremely helpful and since then I’ve always wanted to show my appreciation."

Michael, a former Hattersley High School pupil, who now lives on Mill Lane, Denton, was keen to thank his family and friends.

He added: "Everyone at Baker Tilly has been very generous and supportive.

"I originally set out to raise £3,200, so it’s fantastic to have smashed the target by almost a thousand pounds."

People can still contribute to Michael’s fundraising by logging on to www.justgiving.com/michaelharman.