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Ossining's Kurt Kannemeyer Will Climb Mount Kilimanjaro Again

OSSINING, N.Y. -- In an environment where children are faced with their own “mountains” on a daily basis, Ossining resident Kurt Kannemeyer has become a role model.

Last year Kannemeyer climbed Mount Kilimajaro for the first time and after 17,000 ft suffered from breathing difficulties and had to end his effort.

Last year Kannemeyer climbed Mount Kilimajaro for the first time and after 17,000 ft suffered from breathing difficulties and had to end his effort.

Photo Credit: Contributed
Kannemeyer’s goal is to raise awareness for at-risk, special needs children and to help fundraise for an ILS (Independent Living Services) Center. He will also climb in memory of his mother, Gladys, who died from breast cancer.

Kannemeyer’s goal is to raise awareness for at-risk, special needs children and to help fundraise for an ILS (Independent Living Services) Center. He will also climb in memory of his mother, Gladys, who died from breast cancer.

Photo Credit: Contributed
New Balance will provide apparel for training and the climb.

New Balance will provide apparel for training and the climb.

Photo Credit: Contributed

Kannemeyer, the director of development for the residential treatment center for special education students at St. Christopher’s, Inc. in Dobbs Ferry, announced that he will climb the 19,500 foot Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise funds for St. Christopher’s.

Club Fit and New Balance of Westchester are partnering with St. Christopher’s to help Kannemeyer as he attempts to reach the top.

Club Fit, a comprehensive health and fitness facility in Briarcliff Manor, has agreed to be at Kannemeyer’s side throughout the training process and New Balance will provide apparel for training and the climb.

Kannemeyer sets out in January for his seven-day climb.

Last year, Kannemeyer climbed Kilimajaro for the first time and after 17,000 ft suffered from breathing difficulties and had to end his effort.

“An important part of successfully summiting Kilimanjara is recognizing your body’s limits and I knew for safety reasons that it was best I stop," said Kannemeyer. "Now I know how to properly train and prepare.”

“Initially I performed an assessment of Kurt’s current fitness level in order to develop a customized program specifically for him and this effort," said Club Fit Personal Trainer Sarah Benishek. 

“During the next five months, Kurt will need to increase his aerobic fitness, endurance and prepare him for the changing altitudes he will experience.”

Kannemeyer’s goal is to raise awareness for at-risk, special needs children and to help fundraise for an independent living services center for the developmentally disabled children on the St. Christopher’s Valhalla Campus in the REACH program.

He will also be climbing in honor of his mother Gladys who passed away after a long battle with breast cancer.

To make a donation to Kannemeyer’s climb, contact him 914-648-0817.  

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