“Nine days up, three days down – and more steps than I’ve ever done in my life!”

Think retirement is a time to slow down? Think again! After an unexpected diagnosis, Lynn Redman, 61, from Chesterfield, wanted to take on a challenge to help raise vital funds for a condition that’s too often overlooked.

“I hadn’t heard of osteopenia or osteoporosis before my diagnosis,” says Lynn. “I have since discovered we have a family history of osteoporosis, on my dad’s side, so I decided to join the ROS and take on a fundraising challenge to help raise money and awareness of the condition.”  

Lynn’s trek was supposed to take place in November 2022 but injury put the brakes on her preparation.

“I over-trained at the gym to the point where I couldn’t stand in the shower,” Lynn admits. “I tried to work through it but it just got worse and worse. I discovered I had a stress fracture in my lower leg with joint and ligament damage. The doctor wanted to remove my meniscus (knee cartilage) but I didn’t want an operation and focused solely on physio. I just took things steady and didn’t overdo it. Six months later, I was back walking without having the op!”

The climb itself

So what was it like taking on one of the most iconic treks in the world? 

“It was nine days up, three days down – and more steps than I’ve ever done in my life!” says Lynn.

“It was steep, slippery, uneven terrain all the way – there were even steep, upward climbs on the way down! But we were very lucky with the weather. I chose November for the challenge because that’s usually the clearest time – and the panoramic views were simply stunning.

“There was a bit of a queue at base camp because everyone obviously wants to have their photo taken in this incredible place, but it felt great to finally be there.

“When it got tough, I thought about all the people who had sponsored me and I thought I’ve just got to keep going. And I’m so glad I did!”

Lynn left the fundraising aspect of the challenge to husband, Mick. “We’re opposites like that,” adds Lynn, “so we make a great team!”

“We put our fundraising posters up at our local Nuffield gym and I was surprised how much interest it got – lots of people wanted to talk about the challenge and what osteoporosis was,” says Mick. “I thought we’d struggle to get sponsorship but everyone was really generous and engaged – because this really is something that could affect anyone.”

The first break

Lynn was on holiday, playing with her grandson, Theo, in the pool, when the fun came to an abrupt end. “I was splashed with cold water – and I hate cold water! - so I jumped back and banged my wrist on the pool,” says Lynn. “The doctors in Spain didn’t think it was broken so they just bandaged me up.”

It wasn’t until Lynn was back the UK that she was given a DXA scan - because she was over 50 and it was a break from a standing height. “Knowing what I know now gives me the chance to change my lifestyle and hopefully slow the condition down,” she adds.

People with osteoporosis need to feel seen and cared for, so there needs to be more awareness and more fundraising for this condition.

Positive changes

Since that first break, Lynn has taken positive steps to improve her bone health. She makes sure she’s including enough calcium in her diet and does weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise at the gym, including resistance training, trampolining and weighted squats.

“I think there needs to be more awareness among women before the menopause,” she adds. “Everyone’s aware of cancer, but not the risk to their bones. It’s upsetting when you get that diagnosis, but if it’s caught early you have the chance to do something about it.

“People think osteoporosis is just an ‘old age’ thing but it doesn’t have to happen. If I hadn’t had that accident in the splash park, I still wouldn’t have known. People with osteoporosis need to feel seen and cared for, so there needs to be more awareness and more fundraising for this condition.”

Could you take on a challenge?

Lynn raised over £1,000 for the ROS and experienced the trek of a lifetime. Could you take on a challenge like Lynn and help change the lives of people with osteoporosis? From short walking events to inflatable obstacle courses, there’s something for everyone so sign up for an event now!