A JOHNSTONE woman who defied the odds by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is gearing up for a hot new challenge.

Jackie Dierikx, 55, recently conquered Africa’s highest peak, along with Renfrewshire amputee Corinne Hutton, in aid of the charity, Finding Your Feet.

The mother-of-three is now helping Howwood-based St Vincent’s Hospice mark its 30th birthday with a fund-raising firewalk.

It will be the second time Jackie, who owns the Howwood Village Store, has walked on coals.

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And she revealed that doing the challenge two years ago changed her life.

Jackie told The Gazette: “I remember being absolutely terrified but we were given a motivational speech beforehand and I just decided to go for it. 

“My fears just disappeared and doing that led to so much.”

After that first firewalk, Jackie gained a sense of adventure that led to climbing hills, running 10ks and taking on a number of daunting challenges, culminating in October’s climb of Kilimanjaro.

The Gazette:

Her first firewalk was life-changing for Jackie, centre

Jackie, who has been best friends with Lochwinnoch woman Corinne Hutton for about 20 years, used to smoke 40 cigarettes a day and had never set foot inside a gym until she decided to turn her life around. Next year, she plans to take on an iconic challenge.

“I have already set myself the goal of climbing the base camp at Mount Everest in March 2020. I know it won’t be easy but I am determined to do it.”

“Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro was just awesome,” Jackie said. “It was really tough and there were times when the altitude sickness was punishing but we all stuck together.”

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For now, Jackie’s attention is turning to Tuesday’s firewalk, when she will join 30 friends and family to take on the challenge.

She said: “There is not enough recognition of the work they do at the hospice. As well as being a local charity, they provide essential palliative care to people all across Renfrewshire but they don’t have unlimited finances and need the support of the public to continue their work.”

To support Jackie, visit eventbrite.co.uk and search for St Vincent’s Hospice.