Engineer climbing for Welwyn Hatfield drop in centres (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Engineer climbing for Welwyn Hatfield drop in centres

2:53pm Monday 25th October 2010 in Review and YMCA Central Herts Making Space for Life campaign By Alex Lewis

A DETERMINED fundraiser is climbing Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, to raise money for YMCA projects in Welwyn Hatfield.

Sean Nicholson, a 26-year-old gas engineer from Stevenage, flew to Tanzania on Friday, and is now scaling the 19,341 mountain, raising sponsorship for the charity's new Space drop-in centres in Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield.

He told the Review: "It will take five days to climb, and another two to get down.

"I am fairly fit but it is sure to be a challenge.

"It is more of a long walk than a climb, but the real problem is going to be altitude sickness.

"It is something that if I didn't do, I know I would really regret when I am older."

Mr Nicholson found out about the YMCA's Space centres through his mother, who knows project manager Christine Novelli through the United Reform Church in Welwyn Garden City.

He said: " I remember from my time as a teenager how much we just needed somewhere comfortable to go.

"It is a really good way of getting kids of the streets.

"Another thing that appeals to me is that it will give opportunities for youngsters to mingle with people of different ages."

The Space centres in Wigmores South in Welwyn Garden City, and Queensway House in central Hatfield are described by the YMCA as "a living room on the high street" - a relaxing room complete with laptops, sofas, a TV, a Nintendo Wii and music.