Hi Guys,

As you may or may not know I am climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for Meningitis Trust charity with Kent RaG in July.  Anyone who knows me knows that I am not very athletic and knows that this will be a massive challenge for me.  I am going to start training this week but even with training there is so much to think about.

Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano and is the tallest free standing mountain in the world with the summit at 5,895m.  Due to its high elevation, low temperatures, and occasional high winds make this a difficult and dangerous trek and even the most experienced of trekkers suffer from some kind of degree of altitude sickness.

Altitude sickness is caused by acute exposure to low partial pressure of oxygen at high altitude and usually occurs over 2,400m.  It presents as a collection of nonspecific symptoms, acquired at high altitude or in low air pressure, resembling a case of flu, carbon monoxide poisoning, or a hangover. As the trek is higher than the normal threshold for altitude sickness all trekkers will suffer considerable discomfort, typically shortage of breath, hypothermia and headaches of altitude sickness.

It will take 6 days to concur the mountain in entirety and most of this time will involve long treks, sleeping rough in freezing conditions.

Meningitis Trust Charity

Meningitis is a charity very close to my heart due to the fact when I was at primary school a friend of mine died of meningitis at the age of 6.  If caught early it can be prevented but unfortunately in Sheldon’s case it wasn’t noticed early enough.

Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms, and less commonly by certain drugs. Meningitis can be life-threatening because of the inflammation's proximity to the brain and spinal cord; therefore the condition is classified as a medical emergency.

The most common symptoms of meningitis are headache and neck stiffness associated with fever, confusion or altered consciousness, vomiting, and an inability to tolerate light (photophobia) or loud noises (phonophobia). Sometimes, especially in small children, only nonspecific symptoms may be present, such as irritability and drowsiness.

The trek is 12 – 27 July 2013, which seems like a long time away but it will go really quickly and it is no easy feat!  Before I can actually go I need to raise £2,650 for the Meningitis Trust.  I would be very grateful if you could spare any money big or small, every little helps!

I also need ideas for Fundraising so any ideas anyone has would be very much appreciated!

Thank you!

I am setting up a fundraising page so please start donating to this very worthy cause!!!