Wednesday, January 16, 2013 -

Former international show-jumper Emma Jane Brown is taking on her next sporting challenge when she attempts to climb Kilimanjaro on 1st October. The equestrian, who first hit the headlines in 1984, aged 20 when she won the Ladies National Championship of Great Britain before embarking on a glittering career that established her as the highest ranked female rider for many years, will be attempting the arduous 6,000 metre climb in aid of the Joseph Foote Foundation.

The Joseph Foote Foundation, which recently merged with Brain Tumour UK, is dedicated to raising money for children suffering from brain tumours – the biggest cancer killer of children in the UK; supporting further research into the many aspects of brain tumours and building public awareness of the condition. Emma, a highly-regarded ambassador for her country and now charity ambassador, knew Joseph Foote and his family personally, sharing in the pain of his diagnosis in 2000 and the operations that he endured until the tragic end of his young life aged just 8.

Currently in training for the gruelling 9 day climb, which involves 7 hours of climbing a day carrying 18kg on her back, Emma Jane is hoping to raise thousands of pounds for the charity which aims to bring the reputation and understanding of brain tumours to the fore. She said, “This is a very personal challenge for me inspired by a truly courageous young boy who touched my heart. It is going to be really tough getting to the summit and roughing it – more physically and psychologically demanding than anything I have ever done as a show jumper. When I get to the top I will be having a very private moment with Joseph.”

Recently knighted in Malta for her services to equestrianism, Dame Emma Jane Brown is a tireless charity ambassador who is also an Executive Trustee of the Soldiering On Through Life trust, an ambassador for Heart UK and a member of the President’s Club of the Riding for the Disabled Association.