This October I will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in order to raise money for the Entertainment Software Charity.  The ESC is the official charity of the UK computer and video games industry, and raises thousands of pounds each year to help disadvantaged young people.  Last year's climb helped raise money towards the Amani Children's Home, which is dedicated to helping protect Tanzania's most vulnerable population - street children and AIDS orphans.  This year the money raised will go towards helping more such children, and that's why I've decided to take part in this year's climb.

Those of you that know me will know that I'm not the most active of people and, as such this seemed like the perfect opportunity to do something really extreme in order to raise a mountain of cash for such a good cause.

To put it in perspective, Mount Kilimanjaro is the world's highest free-standing mountain, and includes the highest peak in Africa.  Each year 15,000 people attempt to climb the mountain, of which just 40% make it to the summit.  Due to the mountain's equatorial location as well as its high elevation, climbers can experience almost every climate type on earth during the journey to the top.  At the summit, oxygen levels can drop by up to 50%, causing headaches, nausea, fatigue, breathing difficulties and - in extreme circumstances - death.

But perhaps the most traumatic thing of all for me is that we'll be camping in tents for the duration of the trip...

The trip will take place from 6th to 16th October, and I've got until then to raise my target of £3000 for ESC - which is where you come in.  So, thank you for visiting my fundraising page, and thanks in advance for your generosity.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Entertainment Software Charity will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

http://www.myspace.com/kili2007  

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The Entertainment Software Charity is the official charity of the UK computer and video games industry. It was founded in 2000 by prominent members of the UK Games Industry in order to deliver real benefits directly to those who need it most. We work with charities which bring hope to disadvantaged young people by providing educational and medical support. Importantly, these charities are skilled at knowing how to get the right help to the right people effectively and efficiently. In 2005 the ESC donated a total of £507,000 to educational and medical causes specifically for young people.

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