Epilogue

Just a short note to say I’m now returned from The Mountain - blistered, bruised and generally battered but otherwise in good health and spirits. Mont Blanc does its majestic best to defy explanation: a journey across omnipotent, ice-covered landscapes in splendid human isolation, our gaze upon epic panorama and the grandest of Alpine vistas, our proximity to something so powerful, so magical - a privilege to be sure. That said, for any aspirant climbers among you, Mont Blanc may look benign but is in truth a testament to stamina - a 16 hour final day is proof of this if any were required.

For the record, our attempt on the summit fell short by about 200 metres. Sadly, whilst personally enjoying the climb and feeling strong, my climbing partner collapsed with altitude sickness, leaving myself and the guide to nurse him down the mountain. I’m obviously hugely disappointed not to have reached the very top but it was an amazing journey nonetheless - for the romantics among you, I still feel we touched the sky.

As far as our charitable efforts are concerned, my thanks for your generosity: I’m pleased to report that we’ve raised enough to send one lucky child on Dreamflight, a fabulous outcome and a real achievement - thank you.

Jarrod.

PS. For the joker who trusted me with his stationary order, the man in the Mont Blanc shop said he had simply run out of pens ;-)

Introduction

On 1st July, in support of Dreamflight, I plan to climb Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps & Western Europe.

• Dreamflight changes lives by taking seriously ill and disabled children from all over the UK on the holiday of a lifetime to Orlando every year.  Accompanied by an army of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists & non-medical volunteers on hand 24-hours a day, the children leave their families behind and discover independence, confidence and a whole new outlook on life.  Many realise for the first time that they are not the 'odd one out' and go on to achieve amazing things; 8 of the Beijing Paralympians were Dreamflight children and cited their trip as a turning point in their lives. With your support, I would like to raise £5,000 for this year's Dreamflight adventure. 
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• Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe - they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.  Thank you for your generosity.
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  Jarrod