Marcus Gilman
The Borneo Ultimatum
Fundraising for Oundle Mencap Holidays
Story
Set deep in the jungles of Malaysian Borneo, the Kinabalu Challenge is a five day adventure race bringing together 10 teams from all over the world. Teams compete in a series of daily physical and mental challenges including abseiling, trekking, kayaking, white-water rafting and a tough mountain ascent.
The Borneo Ultimatum consists of 4 ‘professionals:’ Brain Surgeon Greg (The Dr), Digital Advertising Exec Angus (Goose), Software Account Manager Nick (B-H) and Headhunter Marcus (Chewy). We will be helicoptered deep into the jungle where in conditions of 35˚C & 90% humidity we must build our own shelter; trek through rainforest; paddle down tropical rivers; ride the rapids on a team-built raft and climb 4,100 metres up Mount Kinabalu, the highest mountain in South East Asia in what is surely the ultimate team adventure race!
We are all in our mid 30’s and sadly our best sporting years are now several years behind us, we are therefore currently trying to regain some semblance of our prior physiques for this challenge and can often be seen wearily dragging ourselves round Clapham and Wandsworth Commons on cold and dark winter evenings with the British Military Fitness crew! Two of us have also given up alcohol for 6 weeks prior to the challenge in a desperate attempt to improve our fitness levels and avoid the embarrassment of having to call on the Malaysian Emergency Services….. surely that sacrifice alone is worth some form of donation!!
We are hoping to raise £5,000 for The OS Mencap Holiday, an annual week-long residential holiday for children and young people with moderate and severe learning and physical difficulties, so any support you can give us would be greatly appreciated not only by ourselves but also by the army of volunteers who give so much to make it happen and most importantly the children that the holiday is run for. We are funding the trip ourselves so every penny that is donated on justgiving.com will go directly to them. I have been involved with the OS Mencap Holiday for over 17 years now, it is run entirely by volunteers and I truly believe there cannot be a better run or more cost effective charity in the country. So please sponsor us now!
Many thanks in advance for your generosity.
Marcus, Nick, Greg & Angus