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<p>Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.</p>
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<p>HAPPY NEW YEAR; It's 2011...we'll be climbing a mountain soon! We're so excited about our trek to the roof of Africa now its finally here. Training is going well, but I don't think anything can prepare us for the challenge ahead and the emotions we'll feel next February.</p>
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<p>The Coast to Coast walk (Wainwright's 12 day 190 mile "walk" across 3 National Parks from St Bee's on the Irish Sea coast to Robin Hoods Bay on the North Sea coast) proved to be great training, both physically and mentally. From pain (weight of rucksacks on day 1, mega blisters and infected heat rash) to pleasure (Yorkshire dales pub crawl and a blossoming romance), and everything else in between (tiniest tent and dead mans caravan) it's a trip we'll certainly remember for the rest of our lives.</p>
<p>Training continues, despite the weather (although the recent extreme cold temperatures were a good way to test our warm weather clothes...not looking forward to caming in -20 though!). We get to meet the rest of our trekking group soon at a training weekend in the Peak District. Strange to think we're going to have this experience of a life time with lots of strangers!</p>
<p>All in all, we just want to ensure we are ready to make it to the top of that mountain (altitude permitting), to make our friends and family proud and most importantly, to earn all the generous donations that are building up.</p>
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<p>And of course, we can't just sit back and wait for the money to come in. Thanks to everyone who has helped us with fundraising, including</p>
<p>Our 10 hour spin at the Club & Spa, Chester</p>
<p>Charity bowling tournament and raffle - thanks to Warner Leisure breaks, Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill @ Hoole Hall, Leon Norwood Auto Repairs, Total Fitness leisure clubs, Blue Planet Aquarium, Vue cinema, tenpin, Pavilion Theatre@ Rhyl. </p>
<p>A sponsored spinning event - thanks to Alan Goodwin of RPM studio cycling for donating the bikes, Deeside Leisure Centre and everyone who endured 5 hours spinning!</p>
<p>And not forgetting all the generous donations of items we had to sell at car boots, so thanks to those who helped out (especially Helen Bates for her time & early starts).</p>
<p><span lang="EN-GB">For all the other on & offline donations, we really are very grateful, and so are the charity...</span></p>
<p><a href="../whatwedo/marie_curie_nurses/index.htm"><span lang="EN-GB">Marie Curie Nurses</span></a><span lang="EN-GB"> provide free nursing care to cancer patients and those with other terminal illnesses in their own homes. Many of us have been affected by cancer, either personally, or through someone they love. Overall, it is estimated that more than one in three people will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. The job that Marie Curie does is priceless for their patients and families so I’m sure you’ll agree that the money we raise is for a good cause. Marie Curie needs to raise almost £10,000 every hour of every day to fund their work, so we aim not only to get the target of £7,500 sponsorship between us, but to beat that and make a real difference to the charity.</span></p>
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<p>Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. 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 UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - we raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</p>
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<p>So please dig deep and donate now.</p>
<p>Thank you so much</p>
<p>Hannah & Emma x</p>
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