Thanks for visiting my fundraising page and namaste.

Success! I did it! On Monday 30 March I reached Everest Base Camp - it was the toughest physical and mental challenge I've ever undertaken.  Me and my fellow 26 trekkers have, so far, raised over £90K between us (it's not too late to make a donation!)  It was an adventure of a lifetime and if you'd like to learn a little more you can check out my captioned pics (over 500 of them!) here: Album 1 http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=101999&id=530994121&l=504fe51d11  Album 2 http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=102019&id=530994121&l=10df48c0d5 My week's holiday afterwards http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=102061&id=530994121&l=b9a711aebb . On behalf of me and the British Heart Foundation, dhanyabaad ('thank you' in Nepali)

Preamble Your contribution not only helps the British Heart Foundation - it will also also be responsible for helping to improve the health, wealth and education of the people of Nepal. Please see Community Action Treks for further details http://www.catreks.com/

The Formal Stuff Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: British Heart Foundation gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

The Informal Stuff Having told EVERYONE I know that I was going to trek to Everest base camp for the BHF when I was 50, I have to do it now!  So that'll be 12 days of arduous trekking  (some days up to 10 hours), sleeping in a tent in minus 10-15C, no baths or showers and you should see the toilet facilities!  :-)

Why?  Heart disease is the UK’s biggest killer and I know so many people affected by it so wanted to help. It’s also about setting challenges; having the excuse to do outrageous things to raise money; making fabulous new friends and visiting parts of the world I never dreamed I would see, except in photos or on the TV.  Fund-raising is also the only way I can commit to keeping fit, ensuring my own heart beats as it should.

The final countdown - after over a year training, big tests pre the real thing. 14 March -  Me and Charlie did 6 ascents and decents of the Steps at Box Hill - all 3342 of them!  8 -9 March at Castleton in the Peak District - we had a look at 'The Devil's Arse' (a cave!) before climbing Ringing Roger, a 14.5 mile walk and then on Sunday a 6.5 mile, in the snow, taking in Mam Tor - a few pics here http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=93731&id=530994121&l=a69c4 . 21-22 Feb: summited Snowdon, a mere 1085 metres (3,560 ft) - diddly squat compared to Everest!  Sunday was the Miners and Pyg Tracks. See a few pics here http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=90475&id=530994121&l=a719c but for loads more pics join the facebook group: "British Heart Foundation Everest base camp challenge 20/3/09".

Fund-raiser 6 - CLUB ACOUSTICA WITH THE DEPUTIES AND FRIENDS, 13 MARCH Another fabulous Club Acoustica with £250 raised.  Pics here http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=2230485&l=b8353&id=530994121

Fund-raiser 5 - HIGH PEAKS WINTER TRAIL CHALLENGE, 23 NOVEMBER 17 mile hike, in the Peak district, starting near Matlock.  It was slushy, 1C, raining/sleeting intermittently but me and 5 buddies still managed a respectable 5 hours 

Fund-raiser 4 - TANDEM SKYDIVE, 28 SEPTEMBER at RAF Weston on the Green, Oxfordshire - it was amazing! At 10,000 feet I leapt from the plane with Dave 'Emo' and we did a 40 second freefall and reached 139mph!  This jump was also for Cancer Research UK and I raised just over £375 for them.  The jump was in honour of my friend Edna, who is receiving treatment for her bowel cancer. You can check out the amazing catpioned pics here http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=60179&l=65cbf&id=530994121

Fund-raiser 3 - BUNGEE JUMP, 10 AUGUST, - it was awesome. Originally planned with one of my best friends, Paul (who  was 15 when he lost his Dad to a heart attack) . Sadly Paul couldn't do it as his blood pressure was too high.  Just means I'll be doing another one sometime - a tandem one with Paul, if and when his blood pressure stettles down! You can check out the captioned pics of my solo effort at http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=51473&l=a1b7b&id=530994121

Fund-raiser 2 - YORKSHIRE THREE  PEAKS CHALLENGE , 26 JULY - 25 miles, up and over three 880m hills (I thought they were actually mountains - each one just over 2887 feet!).  Me and six of my buddies set off at 6.45am in the searing heat (30 degrees probably). Two finished in 11hrs 59m, four in 12hrs 30mins and I was only 10 mins behind, coming in at 12hrs 40mins. If I I'd have been more confident in the 'off'' (scrambling down from the hills over boulders and rocks) I'd have been up there with the other four. What a sense of achievement.  The thought of the 10 hour days on Everest are no longer the worry they were! Some pics http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=49370&l=a7e5d&id=530994121

Fund-raiser 1 - MUSIC THRU MY DECADES, 19 JULY,  took place at the Half Moon in Putney, a wonderful celebration of reaching the half century.  Over 100 people joined me to help celebrate with four wonderful bands, and two fab solo performances.  I had a a great time and it continued well after the sun had risen again!  Thanks to everyone who attended and to all who made generous donations. Thanks also to the wonderful artistes who performed: THE DEPUTIES, BELINDA CAMPBELL, ROGER WALKER, MONIKA AND THE MUSTANGS, THE MITSUBISHIS  and UNDER ARREST - you were all awesome!  And as for the catering - what can I say? - Angela Allright you are one superstar! Not forgetting Mohamed and Patrick on a varitey of tasks and the wonderful Steff and Lizzie, who brought round endless plates of the most delicious goodies! Party pics http://www.new.facebook.com/album.php?aid=49542&l=0b176&id=530994121 For more details on my company and wonderful artistes please visit www.starturn.biz

STUFF - I am thrilled that my new found hobby (some may say obsession), Nordic outdoor fitness is the perfect solution.  It's the off-season training used by x-country skiiers, who are amongst the fittest athletes in the wolrd.Come rain, shine or snow I'm there with Francis Sirl of Bound http://www.bound.uk.com . I'm delighted that Bound is not only getting me fit but has also made generous donations to the BHF and helped me source some of my kit. I've got a cracking set of biceps now! I’ve been out 4-6  times a week, and have chucked in some distance and endurace training too - a 4-6 hour hike up and down the delights of local Surrey high spots such as Box and Leith Hills, both near Dorking, and the Devils Punch Bowl. 

I was hoping to be strapped to the top a bi-plane and go wing walking to raise money for the BHF but Civil Aviation laws mean it is illegal to be sponsored for this so instead I've donated the £550 it costs to do it to the fund. Plus another £800 or so which means in effect I'll have paid to get myself to Everest and your donations will go direct to the BHF's good work.

So if you could dig deep with your sponsorship that would be wonderful. Together we can help fight the UK’s worst health problem, though you can do it from the comfort of your arm chair!

Love and thanks

Caroline x