Story
<p>I DID IT!</p>
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<p>Somehow, I managed to haul myself 18,652 feet to Gilman's Point on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Others in the group weren't so lucky, with hypothermia, exhaustion, altitude sickness and a heart attack <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser /> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">–</span> yes, a heart attack <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotOptimizeForBrowser /> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman";">–</span> stopping six of my fellow trekkers in their tracks. Everyone is OK now they're back at ground level, but "I don't think he's going to make it" is a phrase I never again want to hear crackling through a walkie-talkie at 4am in -12 on the side of a mountain.</p>
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<p>The trek was a real adventure. The first five days were some of the most beautiful trails I have ever walked, but I won't lie to you: the summit ascent was tough. We set off from base camp at 10pm, and the ensuing six hours were a gruelling nightmare. I'm writing it all up for the Belfast Telegraph, so stay tuned for the gory details.</p>
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<p>In the meantime, many thanks to all the individuals and businesses who sponsored me. I'm still some way short of my £4,000 target, but this page will remain open for another couple of months. This is to be my final challenge for Mencap for now. I've raised more than £10,000 for them, so in 2011 I will move on to new challenges and new good causes.</p>
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<p>Special thanks to the following for supporting my fundraising efforts:</p>
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<p><a href="http://www.aerlingus.com/" target="_blank">Aer Lingus</a><br /><a href="http://www.aikenpromotions.co.uk/" target="_blank">Aiken Promotions</a><br /><a href="http://www.bairdsoundsystems.com/" target="_blank">Baird Sound Systems<br /></a><a href="http://www.cdcleisure.net/" target="_blank">CDC Leisure</a><br /><a href="http://www.hilton.co.uk/templepatrick" target="_blank">Hilton Templepatrick Hotel & Country Club</a><br /><a href="http://jamliverehearsalstudio.com/" target="_blank">JamLive Rehearsal Studio</a><br /> <a href="http://moviehouse.co.uk/" target="_blank">Movie House Cinemas</a><br /><a href="http://www.translink.co.uk/" target="_blank"></a>Steamers Coffee Shop<br /><a href="http://www.stenaline.co.uk/" target="_blank">Stena Line<br /></a><a href="http://www.templetonhotel.com/" target="_blank">Templeton Hotel</a><br /><a href="http://translink.co.uk/" target="_blank">Translink</a></p>