** HELP ME RAISE £20,000.00 for HELP for HEROES **

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**SUMMIT SUCCESS** I’m absolutely delighted to confirm that on 22 January 2010 at 15:22 p.m. I reached the summit of Aconcagua in Argentina; at 6,962m (22,841ft) Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the world outside of Asia.

The summit day was long and exhausting, but the weather was good, the HELP for HEROES cause fantastic and in my mind I knew that failure was not an option! The exhilaration, joy and relief I felt when I ‘topped out’ made the months of planning, preparation and training all worthwhile... in an instant!

More importantly, we significantly exceeded our original HELP for HEROES fundraising target of £6,962.00 and the total currently (15/10/10) stands at a massive £15,247.80 including Gift Aid.

Huge congratulations to everyone who has helped to achieve this objective and a massive THANK YOU for the hundreds of donations already received, you can see the full list of SUPPORTERS here.

Based on the response thus far, we have decided to continue the fundraising to the end of the year, so please pass on the JustGiving web-site details to friends and family who may also like to make a donation. There is also a professional DVD of the climb, which is available in exchange for a small donation to HELP for HEROES, just get in touch.

You can read about the climb in more detail on the BLOG or view a small selection of PHOTOGRAPHS here or make a DONATION here on this page.

Thank you in anticipation of your continued support.

Tony Hodson

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Background Information:

Helen Keller once said that, “Life is either a daring adventure or it is nothing.” It is the sentiment contained within this quotation that has inspired me throughout my life and specifically motivated me to commit to this unique challenge.

My goal is to raise £6,962.00 for the Help for Heroes Charity, by reaching the summit of in January 2010. At 6,962m, Aconcagua is the highest mountain in the world outside of the Himalaya and with a target donation rate of £1 per metre, a very worthwhile goal for a charity that truly does make a difference to the lives’ of ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Before we go any further I should introduce myself to those of you who don’t know me; my name is Tony Hodson, and I live in Northumberland with my wife Maureen and children Jessica, Olivia and Joshua, not forgetting our black , Sparky. When not working, I am an enthusiastic mountaineer and keen photographer; you can follow this link to learn more.

So why Help for Heroes a friend recently asked; as an enthusiastic mountaineer myself, I was inspired by the recent achievements of Major Phil Packer who was not expected to walk again after suffering a spinal injury whilst serving in in 2008. Yet you may recall that since then he completed the London Marathon, rowed across the and climbed the 3,000ft sheer rock face of in - clearly not a guy who hides ‘under the circumstances!’

This is a big target and I need the help of a lot of people to achieve this goal, so I ask you to dig deep and donate now. I am paying ALL of my own trip costs and using the services of , a specialist mountaineering company who are organising the expedition.

This means that 100% of your donation (128% if you tick the Gift Aid box) will go to the Help for Heroes Charity. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a taxpayer.

Thanks for stopping by and ASE make your donation , every pound raised makes a real difference!