MapAction

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving MapAction page - fundraising in memory of my Dad, Andrew Wain.

Dad's love of maps and Africa (particularly the Rift Valley in Kenya and Tanzania) has inspired my professional career (I am currently a GIS Manager in Kent) and realising a boyhood dream to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

I followed Dad by becomming a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) who, along with other professional bodies such as the Ordnance Survey, Association of Geographic Information and Esri UK, are ambassadors for MapAction.

When disaster strikes, getting relief help to the right places quickly hinges on rapid transfer of information. MapAction delivers that vital information in the form of maps, created and distributed by skilled volunteers who deploy to the field within hours of an alert. By conveying a 'shared operational picture', MapAction's maps make a crucial difference in delivering humanitarian aid to the right place to relieve suffering. Please help me to support their excellent work.

"MapAction has made the most significant contribution to the management of humanitarian emergencies in 20 years!" United Nations’ team leader, Libya crisis 2011.

"Mapping support during the early phases of a response is critical, as responders and donors try to more clearly understand the situation on the ground. Without MapAction, the capacity to provide what is needed often simply doesn't exist on the ground. Without this capacity, the flow of information is restricted, which directly impacts the effectiveness of the response and the ability of agencies to mobilise funds." United Nations’ representative, Asia-Pacific Regional Office.

"This service is invaluable. It’s needed in all emergencies." Mercy Corps, Sumatra earthquake.

Kilimanjaro Challenge

On 29 September 2013 a team of like-minded people is setting out for the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro via the 8 day Lemosho Route.

At 5,895m, Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest walkable mountain in the world and therefore requires no technical experience or equipment. Reaching the roof of Africa is however a considerable and, at times, gruelling challenge. The midnight ascent to the summit is the toughest test both physically and mentally but the effect of being at altitude will also play its part throughout.

Follow Me

You can follow my progress climbing Mount Kilimanjaro:

@KentGIS: my tweets as I climb
www.KentGIS.co.uk/Kilimanjaro: an interactive map showing my location

Fundraising

The Mount Kilimanjaro 2013 Team JustGiving page lists all of the team members and their chosen charities, as well as the team's fundraising running total.

Please note that I have also set up a second JustGiving page which is raising money for Pilgrims Hospices.

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 - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.