This climb is now a tribute to Adrian Sudbury who sadly passed away peacefully in his sleep on the 20th August after an 18 month battle with Leukaemia . Everyone says this about someone who passes away.. But he really was a special person.. While he was ill he campaigned to raise awarness for bone marrow donation.. He took it worldwide featuring on BBC news, sky, Aljazeera and many more ! He did all this whilst battling with the complications of his bone marrow transplant.. and when he found out that he didn't have long left to live.. he carried on campaigning to save other people's lives whilst his own slipped away.
I always felt lucky to have a friend like Adie and I am going to miss him so much. I have about 27 years of great memories which I am grateful for.. But there is also the saddness of losing such an incredible person.
This is not one of those charity challenges where most of the money is swallowed up by the cost of the trip.. You know the ones 'Sponsor me to go on a dream holiday to South America!..'
All your money will go to the Charity as I am saving my pennies to pay for the trip.. if I am short I will resort to begging from family members! so don't let it come to that!
Adie was modest, courageous and funny..
"if you say I'm 'such an inspiration' one more time.. I'm going to punch you in the face.!" Adie to a friend
Miss you mate!.. who is going to advise me and keep me out of trouble!?
With all the extra donors who are going to join the bone marrow register due to AD's remarkable campaign, more funds will also be needed to support the influx. But even if you are unable to join the register, or can't donate any money just spread the word and help to dispel the myths about bone marrow donation.
MONT BLANC. 4,808 M
Throughtout his illness he had to deal with some major blows and after each one he just became more determined to create something positive out of it all.
There are many lessons to take from all this, the most important one is to join the bone marrow register (if you are able to) it is the best tribute to Adie.. Goodwill is all very well but if you join the register you could save someone's life. Please also consider giving blood as Adie went through lots of it, which helped keep his strength up and continue with his campaign right up until he passed away.
His story cannot be briefly summarized as it does not do justice to what he went through and the courage he displayed throughout his illness, so please take a look at his award winning blog and read his story from the beginning.
I believe these charity challenges are as important for the participant as they are for the cause, as they allow some degree of control to be gained in awful circumstances. The trip will be paid for by myself so all the money raised goes to the Anthony Nolan Trust.
"The Anthony Nolan Trust takes back lives from leukaemia by providing lifesaving donors for patients in need of a bone marrow transplant." http://www.anthonynolan.org.uk/index.php?location=0
Since 1974 we have helped to give over 5,800 children and adults a new chance of life."
I have done long treks before but this will be my first attempt at mountaineering.. At 4,808 M (nearly 16'000ft) Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in Europe and the 11th Highest in the world. I will drive down to Chamonix, get a couple days training in alpine climbing (ice axes, crampons, yetty wrestling and yellow snow) then set-off for the summit.
"We find ourselves in the high mountains; nearly 'a 5000-er' and this is not banal. If climbing the Mont Blanc can be without problems in good weather, it becomes a nightmare in high wind, fog and storms. An accumulation of risks linked with altitude, changing weather, cold conditions and tiredness. The combination of these quickly become infernal..
"30% of mountaineers returning to the mountain refuge are injured.. Frosbite on the face, wounds from crampons, problems associated with altitude."
Objective risks: Avalanches, falling rocks, falling serac and bad weather.
Only a 40% success rate.
Information from Chamonix mountain guide association.
I intend to do the climb in June 2009, giving plenty of time to raise money.. and to get some serious training done! (which I began February 2008)
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Please dig deep and sponsor me online.
