When children are ill, it can be a frightening time for both them and their families, especially if they have to go into hospital.  Alder Hey Children's Hospital has many years experience of caring for children and not only looks after their health but tries to make sure they are not scared or lonely during their stay as well as providing support for their families. 

I know first hand how much the hospital cares for children as I used to be a regular visitor, and the hospital's charity, the Imagine Appeal, is very close to my heart.

Alder Hey Children's Hospital cares for the health of over 250,000 children every year, and it needs your help to make sure it continues to improve the care it provides, from buying vital medical equipement to improving its standards of care and to its continued research into medical conditions.

We are climbing Kilimanjaro in October and we would like you to sponsor our efforts by making a donation to the Imagine Appeal.  You can sponsor as much or as little as you can afford, so please remember that every bit helps no matter how small.

Kilimanjaro is tough, not because of the climbing itself but because of its height.  It is almost 4 miles high (5,895m) and at that altitude the air is a lot thinner and it becomes difficult to breath even when resting.  In addition the temperature at that altitude is around -15° centigrade, and that doesn't include wind chill, which can take it down below -30°. 

These factors by themselves make the climb difficult enough, but its the Altitude Sickness that really makes this climb difficult.  Its believed to be caused by the low atmospheric conditions at higher altitudes and its effects can start at around 2,000m and can get worse the further you progress.  We're hoping to beat these conditions and in doing so raise some money for Alder Hey Children's Hospital so please give generously.

Donating using Justgiving is easy and secure. The Imagine Appeal gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving ensures an extra 28% in Gift Aid is added.

Your help will be much appreciate by the thousands of children who are helped each week by Alder Hey.

You can track our progress on our blog http://jayiom.wordpress.com/  and leave comments or advice for us along the way.