Transylvanian trek for Teesside student

Kind-hearted student Siobhan Beaney is embarking on a fundraising trip to tackle the Transylvanian Alps and volunteer in a Romanian hospice.

Siobhan, 27, will join an 11-strong group of fundraisers who will travel to Romania as part of a fundraising hike, bike and hospice project to boost funds for St Oswald’s Hospice in Gosforth.

The second year BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy student will travel to Romania from June 19 to 27 with her mum Barbara Beaney. During the nine day trip the group will spend three days volunteering at the Casa Sperantei hospice in the medieval town of Brasov.

The volunteering part of the trip comes from St Oswald’s links with the Hospices of Hope charity, which supports the hospice in Romania.

Parachute jump leads to more fundraising Siobhan, from Cramlington, said: ‘My mum did a parachute jump to raise funds for St Oswald’s and I got involved in raising funds for the hospice through that.

‘When we arrive in Romania we’ll trek for two days in the Transylvanian Alps, then bike through the villages to the hospice. We’ll then spend time volunteering at the hospice, which could involve anything from painting walls to helping with the patients.

‘We were also asked to give details of any skills we have, which led me to be told I’ll be working with a physiotherapist, which I’m really looking forward to. My mum is a teacher, so she’ll be involved in educational activities for children at the hospice.’

Siobhan, who works as a fitness instructor, added: ‘I’ve no idea what to expect over there, but it will be a really interesting challenge.

‘I’m really looking forward to the physical side of the visit, but I think volunteering at the hospice will be quite emotional, as we won’t know until we get there what type of resources they have.’

Siobhan and her mum have so far raised £5,000. Sponsor Siobhan or find out more about the trip.

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