Dear all,

You'd think after 30 years of being a banker, I'd have more sense than to say yes on the basis of a couple of phone calls. Apparently not. That's pretty much all it took for my old friends at CVC to convince me to be a late substitute to join their upcoming trip to climb Kilimanjaro at the end of June. Really should have done a bit more due diligence - working on the basis of ' if Cheryl Cole and Chris Moyles can do it,  then surely it'll be no sweat for a 52 year old, unfit ex-banker' may not be too smart.

Part of the motivation for this moment of insanity is clearly that it gives me a chance to raise some funds for a very worthwhile cause. I am supporting Parkinson's UK - the Parkinson’s support and research charity - which for more than 40 years has been working to find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson's. I'd be extremely grateful if you feel you could help me help others by donating through clicking on : www.justgiving.com/hamish-kili2010. My target is to raise £10,000. My sense is that might be a bit easier than getting to the top !

Now all I need to do is buy all the gear and get fit in 4 weeks !

Thank you all for your support.

Best wishes

Hamish