**UPDATE** The Kili 9 have returned after ALL SUCCESSFULLY climbing the huge mountain. We got to the peak on the 1st anniversary of Matthew's death (6th October) so it was a hugely emotional achievement for all of us but a truly amazing way to remember him. Please continue sponsoring to help us reach our target.
Matthew's wonderful colleagues on the Swiss desk at ICAP have already raised £75k to kick start the fund and by doing the climb we plan to raise an additional £65k. Climbers included; John Herbert, Trish Hogan, Keith Aves, Justin Hughes, Simon Cornish, Jon Crallan, Tim Boyce, Lynton Humphries from Bayern LB, and Charlotte Baldwin (Matthew’s widow). Everyone paid for the trip themselves, so 100% of the money goes into the fund. Here are some words from Charlotte about Matthew and why the climb is so important to her and all the others who knew Matthew;
We decided to climb Kilimanjaro in memory of, and as a tribute to, my wonderful husband Matthew who lost his long and brave battle against Brain Cancer on 6 October 2009. What better way to remember such a unique person than to trek to the top of a huge mountain and raise money for the fight against brain cancer as well. We plan to donate the money to research into this awful illness, whose survival rates have not really improved in the last 50 years. Matthew’s neuro-oncologist is doing some truly incredible research in conjunction with Oxford University, and we want to fund an experimental drug trial in Matthew’s memory.
So now some words about Matthew; who provides the motivation that will keep me climbing up that mountain. I’d like to share some anecdotes with you about the man I know and love very much, as unfortunately, most of you reading this will not have got the opportunity to meet him. When I first met Matthew, he had the largest trainer collection I’d ever seen; with a separate wardrobe for Nike trainers, and another for Adidas. He was always impeccably dressed, with an extensive wardrobe of clothing, especially coats, and how many women can say that their husbands enjoyed shopping and choosing fab outfits for them? My husband was probably the most well presented (some might say vain) man I’ve ever met. In the last 12 months Matthew probably had more spa treatments than most of you have had hot dinners. One of the most devastating results for Matthew of this terrible disease, and the drugs that he had to take, was the fact that he developed a belly (or as his very good friend Herbie put it, a Wok, under his shirt). Not being able to fit into his favourite skinny jeans was just awful for him.
My husband also loved travel and holidays ... he would have loved to have had the opportunity to climb Kilimanjaro himself and always relished a challenge. Matthew truly was a Bon Viveur, he loved music and used to DJ in clubs ‘back in the day’. I have kept all the flyers from when he played in clubs such as the ministry of sound, and clubs in Ibiza; I am sure that one day he had planned to show them to the children that we sadly never got an opportunity to have. He was also a brilliant dancer, with excellent rhythm (obviously I am slightly biased), but his moves really showed up my own lack of coordination, much to his amusement. He also loved good food, red wine and lots of beer but also loved our regular runs around the city together; one of the saddest things is that I didn’t get to run the marathon with him this year. Luckily my father ran it with me; we were supported by lots of friends and family, and were able to raise a significant amount of money for a brain tumour unit in the hospital where Matthew was treated.
Matthew was a very passionate Arsenal fan, so you can imagine how wonderful it was that we managed to go to a game 2 days before he passed away; he was able to see his team win 6 -2 against Blackburn, and although he was totally exhausted, I don’t believe that he wanted to be anywhere else. We counted ourselves extremely lucky and fortunate to have found each other when we did; and during his last year of life, we were very lucky that we got to spend so much time together. No opportunity was lost to say how much we loved each other; I simply don’t have the words to express the true devastation that I feel about him being taken from me when he was just 36 years old. I do know, however, that I need to do things such as this climb to make me feel like I am doing something positive in the face of this horrible disease. It’s a cliché, but life is short and if we can do anything, however small to make a difference, it makes me feel a little less helpless and a little bit more positive about the future. Any donations that you can give to help fight this deadly disease will be much appreciated.
PLEASE STATE MATTHEW'S NAME IN THE DONATION AS FOLLOWS: Matthew Baldwin for the glioblastoma research fund (Charity ID 1051)
With love,
Charlotte Baldwin.