Scroll down to see Ian and Brian's stories and updates
Ian, Brian Becky and Carrie are showing the photographs of the expedition and telling their stories at Alstonefield Village Hall on Saturday 17th April at 7.30. All will be revealed - don't miss it.
For all those who cannot make the talk and slideshow, let us know and we can e-mail you a link to the photo gallery and a text document of Brian's blog. Unfortunately, we are unable to put any more photos on this site
March 2010
We have all just returned from Tanzania. As you can see from the photographs, Brian, Ian and Becky made it to the summit. Carrie is bitterly disappointed, but was suffering with AMS for the previous 3 days and was "ordered" to descend by the mountain guide. She got to 5000m, one hour into the final summit stage. It is pleasing though that neither Carrie, nor the others suffered any detrimental effects from this climb. The last 7 hours push to the top was some of the hardest physical endurance we had ever attempted. We saw many climbers failing, even quite near the top. Our thanks go to our guide, Joseph who could not have done better. He kept us going when things got tough, but kept the speed down to match our levels of fitness. Without Joseph, Dickson (assistant guide), Emile (chef) and the 17 porters, who each carried 100 pounds on their backs and heads and climbed at five times our speed, we would not have made it anywhere near the top. Thanks to everyone for your generous support and donations. We hope that Ian and Brian have shown that there really is much life to be enjoyed after cancer. Having said that, we are all very pleased to be home !
Sunday 21st February 2010
Message received at c. 5.15 am
'Hi everyone. All our love from the summit of Kilimanjaro! Ian, Becky, Brian. Carrie is well but is at basecamp'
Feb 2010
So we fly on SATURDAY and training has gone well. Last weekend we went to the Lake District to climb Helvelyn. Unfortunately the snow and ice defeated us. We got as far as the base of Striding Edge, to Red Tarn. It was how we imagined Narnia to be - white as far as the eye could see. We watched a group equipped with crampons and ice axes inch along Striding Edge and two mad men toboggan down Helvelyn! We also met another adventurer who had skiied between Striding Edge and Swirral Edge.... and some people think we're barmy! Now we are winding down the training and concentrating on working out how to pack all our equipment within the luggage allowance. Roll on Saturday 13th when we fly and even better Monday 15th when we start climbing. Think of us while you have your feet up in front of a blazing log fire!
Jan 2010
Now Christmas is over, suddenly the realisation has hit us that it is next month we go. We have managed to keep up the training in the deep, deep snow. Our recent photos were taken on a training walk together on Sunday 3rd January on Baley Hill. Between us we have become well acquainted with all the local hills, but so far, only Becky can climb, chat and laugh, all at the same time. Our arms are resembling pin cushions as we collect the various vaccinations. The kit and medical lists are nearly complete. We have had many messages of support and many donations. Thank you and a Happy New Year to you all. Let's hope and pray ours is successful too!
Ian's Story
It is 10 years in 2010 since I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. An aggresive disease that affects the bone marrow and bones, It was devastating news at the time as the prognosis given by my doctor was only 2 - 5 years initially. Not one to give up too easily I was given the opportunity to have treatment at The Royal Marsden Hospital in Surrey and underwent a trial treatment of High Dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant, this is where I met the inspirational Prof Ray Powles who promised me "decades" of life to look forward too. Well this fund raising event is to celebrate the first decade. To show appreciation for all the help, treatment and advice I have been given by the numerous doctors and nurses I have had contact with at The Royal Marsden, and also the Chesterfield Royal Hospital I have decided to climb Mount Killimanjaro to raise funds for Cancer Research. My partner Becky is also joining me on this climb, her support throughout my illness has been fantastic, and she deserves her own sponsorship just for putting up with me !!! I hope this climb will be inspirational to any newly diagnosed patients and show that life can go on with the right attitude towards it !!
Brian’s StoryAlways one for a sporting challenge, I have pulled a jumbo jet, walked from Lands End to John O’Groats, run the London and New York Marathons, completed the 3 Peaks,.......but 2 years ago I faced my biggest challenge yet when I was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of Lymphoma. Like Ian, I went through several bouts of ever more intensive chemotherapy, followed by a stem cell transplant. I have been told I can’t have any more of the same treatment. So my hope is that my remission will be long enough for the boffins to come up with a wonder drug to cure me. That is where your donation will help. I am very grateful to the NHS and in particular Nottingham City Hospital’s state of the art Haematology Unit. My consultant, Andy Haynes told me exactly what to expect on a daily basis and I couldn’t have had better treatment. And I have just been told that my blood is in better shape now than it has been for years. I will turn 60 just before we go; what better way to celebrate than to walk up a mountain!
The Climb
We will tackle the Lemosho route of Kilimanjaro taking 8 days in all. If you saw the Red Nose celebrities last year, you will know what we are in for. Approaching the summit there are winds of 80mph and temperatures of minus 25C. We start climbing on the 15 February and will give you our full story on our return. Meanwhile, rest assured, all costs will be borne solely by us. So all donations will go directly to Cancer Research.
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