Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

This is by far the greatest challenge I have ever attempted and it fills me with a mixture of dread and excitement. It will take me to the edge of my mental and physical endurance. I have sponsored many other friends in marathons, cycle rides and walks and I felt that it was time for me to challenge myself and raise money for a deserving cause at the same time. I am funding my own trip so every penny I raise goes to charity.

Kilimanjaro is, at 5895 meters (19,340 feet), the highest mountain in Africa and the fourth highest in the world. Many of those who attempt to conquer it do not succeed as the conditions are extreme. The temperature plummets from 30 degrees celsius to minus 20 at the summit. Altitude sickness hits most climbers with severe headaches, dizziness and sickness. I will spend about 8 days on the mountain with the last day involving 12 - 15 hours of trekking in extreme conditions. I will be raising money for 3 C's Charity (Crohn's and Colitis in Children).

So why Crohn's? A very close friend of mine is a long term sufferer of Crohn's disease and this has raised my awareness and my desire to do something to help. Crohn’s Disease is inflammation and ulceration of the digestive tract and can appear in one or more parts of the tract from the mouth to the anus. Colitis is similar but contained in the large bowel. My chosen charity (3 C's) fundraises to enhance the research and education into Crohn's and Colitis especially in children. For no known reason, since the early 1970’s there has been a dramatic increase in the incidence of Crohn’s Disease in children of all ages.

Symptoms of Crohn’s Disease are extremely variable including severe pain, vomiting, nausea, dramatic weight loss, severe and persistent diarrhoea or constipation. These symptoms can be extremely frightening and distressing for sufferers especially children. Due to the nature of the disease Crohns victims usually suffer in silence. In many cases complex drug therapy and/or major surgery is required.

Please help me help children who suffer from this dreadful disease. It is not a well known cause and is desperate for funds. You really can make a difference.

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.