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Sharon & Tony McMurray have for a number of years raised funds for The Alzheimers Society plus a second charity through the kind generosity of friends, family and customers of Sharon's Family business Towcester Tea Rooms. (<a href="http://www.towcestertearooms.co.uk">www.towcestertearooms.co.uk</a>).   Each year the fundraising culminates in Tony attempting a unique physical challenge which is both 100% self funded and self organised in order to maximise funds for charity. Previous challenges have included cycling from Lands End to John-O-Groats, climbing Kilimanjaro and last year he kayaked the length of the Thames.   This years challenge will be an attempt to climb Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe.   The challenge will start in the Alpine Town of Chamonix and will take place w/c August 8th. This will include acclimitisation climbs, the use of ropes, crampons and ice axe. As someone who has never done this type of climb before Tony has attended a winter skills training course and had a number of training trips to the Lake District this summer.    This year’s fundraising (which will be split 50:50 between the two charities) has an added poignancy for both Sharon and Tony in terms of the charities chosen.     The Alzheimer's Society (Funds being raised offline) The inspiration behind Tony’s fundraising for Alzheimer’s is his mother Josephine. She sadly passed away on 31/12/10 having been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s 4 years ago.   The Oxford Transplant Foundation  (All donations from this site)  The second charity chosen is prompted by Sharon's decision to donate a kidney to her long time friend and fellow dance teacher Tracey Aspin. The transplant took place on Monday 14th February at the John radcliffe hospital and has already enhanced Tracey's quality of life considerably following a long period of dialysis.    It was back in July that Sharon first went for tests. Following 6 months of testing at the John Radcliffe hospital and a number of health checks she was so pleased to be told that she was a perfect match.     Tracey and Sharon were born in the same London hospital, they are the same star sign and they have been dancing together for over 20 years. All the advice and fantastic support she has been given by the doctors gives her the confidence that the operation will be successful, with no ill effects.    Sharon would like to raise awarness amongst the public that organ donation is not as uncommon nor difficult as many think. The ability to donate an organ and improve another's life is one of the wonders of modern medicine.    By donating to this site you are contributing to the continued work of the Oxford Transplant Foundation. With your help, the amazing story of Sharon and Tracey can continue to be repeated by others for years to come. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – 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. So it’s the most efficient way to donate.

2011 Mont Blanc Challenge

2011 Mont Blanc Challenge

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