Last September 2011, I successfully climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania - the highest peak in Africa at 5,895m.  Oh, it was hard, very very hard - surely one of the hardest thing I've done in my life so far but perhaps also one of the most rewarding.  Hard to express my level of contentment at the top...and how beautiful it is up there.  The memories of that trip will probably never leave me. 

 

Why have I decided to put myself under so much pressure?  Because I like a challenge, I like the outdoors and I really wanted to do my bit for the Alzheimer’s Society in memory of two of my lovely grand-parents.

 

I had set up myself the challenge to get to the top and to raise £2,500 in support of the charity.  Not only did I get to the top but I have managed to raise £5,135.15 (about €6.000) which is far beyond my expectations.  We were 30 participants on the trip, and all together we raised about £140,000 which is enormous.  We could not have succeeded without you.

 

So, from the bottom of my heart, two words to all my sponsors: "Asante sana", which means thank you very much in Swahili.

 

For those who still wonder: no, not a single penny of the money raised paid for my trip; yes, 100% of the money raised has gone to the charity.   

 

And for those of you who still wish to make a donation, be sure that donating through JustGiving is totally secure. Your details are safe,  they’ll never be sold and you will not receive unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send 100% of your money directly to the charity and if you are a UK tax payer, make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation.