WE MADE IT!!!!!!

At 5:45am on Saturday morning, Ian, Peter, Jacquie and myself made the point on the Crater rim called Gilman's Point (5681 metres) which means we could officially say we had climbed the mountain. At that point we could have turned round - and believe you me I think we all wanted to!!- but at 7:15am all four of us made the Summit at Uhuru (5895m) after what was the toughest and longest night of our lives!! It is hard to describe just what is required to get there, but it is mainly sheer bloody mindedness at the end. Jacqui - if ever you were an inspiration to us - it was on Saturday morning! Ian in particular wasn't having a great time of it, but there was no way we were not going to make that Summit for you!!!

It is also worth pointing out what an inspirational group of people we completed the climb with. We have made many wonderful new friends and shared something very special that can never be taken away from us. That said the desription of Kibo Hut and the famous Kibo Long-drop toilets is something best left in the memories, and not put into print. Just be thankful that Smell-o-vision is not yet a reality!

Of the total group of 45 who attempted the summit night - ALL 45 made Gilman's Point and 42 made the Summit itself!!!!

Massive thanks to all who have donated to date - I hope to God that it helps, and I would like to think that we didn't let you down!

 

Jacqui - this was for you. All my love

Neil

xx

 

 

1 week to go...the final countdown!!

Have now carried out two more big walks (14.5 miles each) of a circular walk from Reigate to Box Hill and back - Ian and I had an enjoyable time, and reckon we are as ready as we're going to be fitness wise. Very useful from a kit testing point of view and I think Ian is now convinced as the usefulness of poles!

First practice pack this week - need to ensure we aren't overloading the porters - teddy might have to stay at home for this one!

Jacqui has very kindly provided the final piece of kit required for the trek - hadn't spotted the trowel on the kit list myself, but I have a feeling it may come in handy when nature calls.....

Thanks to the guys at TrekUK in Shere for a great training day and advice - a recommended font of knowledge for all things trekky / mountains.

Jacqui - as ever this is for you and you will be in our thoughts as we Summit!

Neil

12th Oct '10

 

4 weeks and counting! - Another update

Jabs received and Visa now in place - all kit sourced. I have even had the chance to test out the waterproofs on Reigate Hill in a stinker of a storm - they work fine! Still getting funny looks from the Dog walkers as I stride past with my Rucksack and poles - no one has had the courage to ask me what I'm doing yet! Final push with training for the next few weeks and then a practice pack to make sure I'm not overloading the porter.

Onwards and upwards!

Neil - Mid Sept '10

7 weeks to go!! - An update

Kit buying has gone well - much to my bank balance's despair! I am now finding camping and trekking shops almost as addictive as hardware shops - must be a man thing! Training is progressing steadily. I have lost count of the number of times I have been up Reigate Hill, but it has had a noticeable effect on the waistline - shrunk by a beltnotch already! Getting the walking bug - which might come in handy halfway up the Hill. Exploring the North Downs Way (well the bit in between Box Hill and Reigate Hill) which is a very scenic way to spend three hours. 

An enormous and heartfelt thanks to all who have donated to date - your generosity is astounding! Spread the word!!

Neil - Aug '10

 

 

As you may already know, my sister, Jacqui, has developed Motor Neurones Disease ("MND"). You can find out all you need to know about MND on the association's website (http://www.mndassociation.org/), but I want to share with you some of my thoughts about Jacqui.

Jacqui is pretty special big sister to my Brother and I and we have always looked up to her. When we were growing up, this generally took the form of lying prostrate on the ground with her sitting on top, having reminded us that we couldn't hit her back as boys didn't hit girls - apparently it's OK the other way around! As we got older it became pure admiration as she seemed to effortlessly succeed a anything she tried - be it music, sport or education. It was certainly no surprise when she ended up at Cambridge, got her degree, a high-flying job, married to Andrew and had three strapping sons. What was more surprising was the whirlwind of barely controlled chaos and energy that became their household as the boys got older - the lack of awareness of where the boys were and what they were getting up to was a joy to behold - made her seem more human :-)! Certainly explained the unexpected appearance of grandson Theo - although he is now a blessing!

Anyway, Jacqui has for some reason developed MND and as a result our world will always be less colourful. Whilst we as a familiy are all getting to grips with what the future holds, I vowed that I would do something to show her how much she means to me. I know that I can do little to help her in the coming years, but I can raise as much money as I can to help research into this devasting disease. That is why I'm climbing to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro with my brother and two friends and that is why I need your help.

Thanks for visiting my page and please give as much as you can