A few months ago on a cold and wet winters evening in the Spylaw Tavern in Colinton, an idea was hatched. Discussing our "bucket list" of things we would like to do whilst we were still fit and able, the idea of climbing Africa's highest peak was born. Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania stands at close to 20,000 feet above sea level (higher than base camp Everest) with temperatures of minus 20 degrees at the summit. How about challenging ourselves to climb to the top of Africa and at the same time try and raise some funds for the New Pyjamas Campaign to help build a new childrens hospital in Edinburgh.

And so it came to pass that Mark, Colin and John will be spending Valentines day cuddled up to each other in a three man tent trying to keep warm as we look to conquer Kili. Why are we doing it?. Well apart from the sheer challenge and the adrenaline rush of being able to say that we have climed one of the world's great peaks, we would also like to help equip the new childrens hospital that is being built in Edinburgh,  with funds raised from our challenge. 

what is the new pyjamas campaign?

A new, state of the art Royal Hospital for Sick Children that will be built at Little France in Edinburgh by the end of 2012, providing world class healthcare for children and young people from all over Scotland.

The new pyjamas campaign has been established to raise funds for research, capital equipment and support and services for patients and their families. 

The funds that we raise we will assist in further developing the Sick Kid’s reputation as a centre of excellence of paediatric healthcare across the world.

What will we do with the money we raise?

All funds that we raise will help pay for equipment and services that are not covered by standard NHS budgets. 

The new pyjamas campaign will supply the Sick Kids with capital equipment at the forefront of paediatric healthcare which will, in turn, attract the very best medical practitioners to the hospital.

Monies raised by the new pyjamas campaign will be used in a variety of ways to support patients and their families so that they have some of the comforts of home in a hospital setting. 

We appreciate that we all get inundated with requests for help for sponsorship from many worthy causes. However, if you are able to help sponsor us in our challenge then we can guarantee that your contribution  will be hugely appreciated and will help us equip the childrens hospital to create a truly world class medical facility that we can all be proud of.

From Mark, Colin and John, many thanks.

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So please dig deep and donate now.