The first woman to climb Mount Everest from both sides will give a talk for charity in Carlisle this month.

Cathy O’Dowd, who has climbed the highest mountain in the world four times, will address the Harraby Community Centre audience on Monday, January 23.

The evening’s proceeds will go to The Heart Centre at the city’s Cumberland Infirmary.

Hearts of Cumbria, the campaign behind The Heart Centre opening around the clock instead of 9am to 5pm, is organising the event.

Founder Darren Tate, 50, said: “I set it up around four years ago after I had a heart attack.

“This talk is the next step in raising awareness and money for them and highlighting their great work.

“Cathy is a family friend of mine and she offered to speak at the event. She’s an amazing person who has done unbelievable things in the face of adversity. She’s an inspiration.”

South African mountaineer Cathy is an internationally known motivational speaker and author of Just for the Love of It, a book that captures her love of climbing and passion for challenges.

She was a part of the first South African team to attempt the summit, and at 26,000 feet sat through the huge storm that led to the death of 11 climbers.


Cathy O'Dowd Cathy said: “Darren brings a zest for life to organising and fundraising that you don’t see often. I have great admiration for his enthusiasm and focus.

“It matters that people have such great resources like The Heart Centre. It’s an amazing service. If these services aren’t completely to hand 24/7, it just seems like it’s not enough.”

She added: “Mount Everest isn’t the most difficult, even though it’s the highest.

“But it was the biggest step and it went from being a hobby I was passionate about to a lifestyle and ongoing journey.

“Cumbria is a wonderful place to be based if you’re adventurous, I love it here.”

Darren has completed many tasks in the name of charity, including triathlon-like events and sponsored bike rides for flood relief and the Radio Cumbria Jigsaw Appeal.

He said: “It was a triathlon with a difference – I’m not allowed to do some things, so I swam the length of the English Channel in a local pool, cycled the equivalent of John O’Groats to Land’s End, and actually walked Hadrian’s Wall.”

Tickets are £10 and can be purchased by calling 01228 544133.