Kili Update:

Well I made it - the knees held out just fine - and I can assure you that any money you have generously donated was hard earned.  Struggling foot by foot to get to Uhuru Peak was by far the most physically and mentally challenging thing I've ever undertaken.  I can't sign off without expressing my public thanks to the fantastic Tanzabian guides - especially Amaeli - who encouraged, nurtured and motivated me to the top...  I haven't stopped feeling awe and respect for his kindness, professionalism and charisma.  Without this guy, I'm not sure I'd've made it.

Many thanks - your exhausted friend

Martin :-)

PS - original story follows below...

 

Hello Friends, Relatives and Colleagues,

Me again.  Thanks to all of you who sponsored me last year when I did Yorkshire Three Peaks in aid of Mental Health Research, and if you missed out on that wonderful opportunity - ! - then I hope you might want to dip your toes in, however minimally, this year, although this time I’m aiming a bit higher (literally) and there’s a bit more of a story to it.

Last November, my boss at the time, Gavin Blyth, the inspirational series producer of Emmerdale, died at the tragically young age of 41.  I have been muttering about ‘doing Kilimanjaro one day’ for some years, but Gavin’s passing precipitated one of those moments when the cliché becomes a simple but profound truth you feel you have to act upon.  Life literally is too short. 

Plus, as my other half, Gail, pointed out, it would be worth doing it while I still had the knees. 

I had the trip booked within a few weeks.

So, I’m setting off for Tanzania on Sept 16,  and, altitude sickness allowing, I should be hitting the summit of Kilimanjaro some time on the 22 September.  I’ve been training hard – in the gym, and grabbing stamina building hikes when I can – and it would be great if you could sponsor me, in however small (or large) a way for the cause of Mental Health Research.  Depression, and other mental illness, has gouged chunks out of the lives of many people close to me, and although it may not be the sexiest of charities, it feels unbelievable important to explore an area of health that could affect one in four of us in any given year.

But this is where it gets a bit complicated.  Originally I had wanted to split any donations people might like to make two ways. Mental Health Research is a cause very close to my heart, but I didn’t feel that I could forget about Gavin Blyth, who has - metaphorically - got me off my backside to actually do it.  However JustGiving won’t allow me to split my donations two ways on one page.  If I want to do that I have to split myself in two, sort of like a charitable Sorcerer’s Apprentice.

It’s completely up to you – I know it’s a hassle.  If you’re happy just to give to Mental Health Research that’s fine – but if you have the online energy to do this twice (!) and split your giving two ways, then it would be lovely if some money could go to the Leukaemia fund commended to me by Gavin’s widow, Suzy. Here's the link to my other page:

http://www.justgiving.com/kilimanjamesonllr

or follow the 'team' link to the left of this page.

Finally, a nice piece of connected trivia...  my father, Anthony Jacobs, who was periodically debilitated by bipolar syndrome, was an actor who, in 1959, played 'Mustaph' in the film 'Killers of Kilimanjaro' which starred Robert Taylor and Anthony Newley.  

I shall try to avoid the killers.... 

Thanks in advance - ! – and wish me luck.

(very excited)

Martin  xxx

 

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