Story
The Climb Ev’ry Mountain Challenge
(Part Two!)
In May 2007, celebrated my 50th birthday with a silly Sound of Music party and pledged to 'Climb Ev'ry Mountain', ie climb the highest peak in 8 European countries to raise £25000 in sponsorship. Up to that point I'd only ever done a bit of walking in the Dales or Lake District.
Starting with Holland, Belgium & Luxemburg (a joke!), I then teamed up with an alpine guide to tackle the more serious terrains in Austria,Germany, Switzerland,Italy & finally Mont Blanc in France. It was fantastic - exhausting but fantastic! (And it took nearly six months for my legs to recover.)
Unfortunately, high winds kept us - and everybody else, even the experienced climbers - off the summit of Mont Blanc. So in August 2008 I'm going to have another go; this time even climbing with my old friend & colleague, Ian Fozard.
I bagged nearly £19000 with last year's attempt - and I'm completely bowled over by the support and generosity of everyone who gave so much, either directly or through some of the events we held. But we need that extra six grand!
PLEASE WILL YOU HELP?
Artist Philip Spellacy came along on the 2007 trip and an exhibition of his paintings of the mountains, as well as my photographs, is being staged in the Atrium Gallery in the Yorkshire Cancer Centre, (Bexley Wing, St James' Hospital) from May 22nd this year. Do please have a look at it if you get the chance.
For more information see http://www.yorkshirecancercentre.org.uk/index.php?page=yccappeal_projects§ion=yccappeal
Big thanks in anticipation…..
Gil
P.S. WE DID IT! Yahooooooo...
Bang on noon, on the 29th August, 2008, we made it to the top. Absolutely exhausting - but we had brilliant weather and wonderful views back over to the highest mountains in Italy & Switzerland - we really did have the sense that we were on top of the world. There was lots of hugging & cheering.
We'd got up at 1am and didn't 'call it a day' until we got down to the highest hut on the mountain at about 4pm. One of the side effects of altitude is that you can't sleep, but, I assure you, I slept like the proverbial log that night.
It was the best sense of achievement that I could have had - but it was all justified by the generosity of friends & acquaintances. Thank you all SO much for making it, not only very worthwhile but also actually possible. I wouldn't have done it without you.
Big thanks to Andi & Sally who did a brilliant job guiding and putting up with me and also to Ian who really put his back into raising the final chunk of money.
Thank You, Thank You, Thank you!
(By the way - the exhibition of Phil's paintings & my photos is on in the foyer of the hospital until January, at least)
Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Leeds Teaching Hospitals Charitable Foundation which is the parent 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. I am assured that all money raised from my site goes towards the provision of light boxes in the new Yorkshire Cancer Centre.
So please sponsor me now!
Many thanks for your support.