WHEN it came for volunteers to climb up Britain's highest mountain and raise money for a charity dear to her heart then a Tavistock pensioner had no doubts about putting her best foot forward. Eileen Hooper of River Court in Tavistock is in training to tackle the 4,406 feet peak of Ben Nevis, near Fort William in Scotland, the highest mountain in Britain. The intrepid Eileen, who used to work in a baker's shop in Tavistock for many years before she retired, has set herself the challenge to raise money for Christian Solidarity Worldwide — a human rights organisation which specialises in religious freedom, works on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs and promotes religious liberty for all. Her climb, with 40 other CSW members around the country, will take place on September 27 and the member of St Eustachius Church in Tavistock is appealing to Times readers for sponsorship. She is hoping to raise £1,000. Eileen said: 'At 76 years I will no doubt feel pain and tiredness but nothing will compare with what these people undergo. 'Whatever discomfort I encounter will be nothing compared to the unjust imprisonment, appalling torture and often death which my fellow Christians endure, because unlike me ,they have not got the freedom to worship.' In the next few months Eileen will be out on regular walks on Dartmoor with the University of the Third Age and the Strollers walking group, climbing the Tors to practice for the challenge. Eileen told the Times: 'This is definitely a one off. This is the first mountain I will climb and I can assure you, at 76, it will be my last! Sponsors may access the website at http://www.justgiving.com/eileen">www.justgiving.com/eileen hooper or pass money in the Tavistock Parish Church office in Plymouth Road, Tavistock from Monday to Thursday mornings.
