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KILIMANJARO SUCCESS

Sorry it has taken so long to be in touch.........., it's taken me until now, to really adjust back into normal life. When I arrived home I found it really hard to talk about my time climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, I think I was just totally overwhelmed by the full experience and I couldn't quite comprehend the full extent of what I went through both physically and mentally while I was there.

On February 9th 2011 I arrived at Heathrow Airport and met the group of trekkers I would be joining on a long journey to Tanzania and the start of our challenge to climb to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro to raise money for CLIC Sargent.

Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and is the largest free standing mountain in the world. At 5,985m it is Africa’s highest peak.

I decided to climb Mt Kilimanjaro in 2010 and spent just under a year training and fundraising for the challenge. I have met lots of families with children who have been affected by cancer and I have always wanted to help support this wonderful charity. Every day 10 families are told that their child has cancer. Diagnosis often comes as a shock. Treatment usually starts straightaway and can last up to three years. As the children’s cancer charity, CLIC Sargent is there… with clinical, practical and emotional support, every step of the way.

It was an 8-day trek approaching Kilimanjaro from the Lemosho Glades. We started in the dense tropical rainforest, where we took in some of the mountain’s best features, including the Shira Caldera, Shira Plateau via Shira Cathedral, over the Lava Tower and down the Barranco Valley, the Barranco Wall and the Karanga Valley before making our final ascent via the Barafu Ridge. The landscape changed on the way up, becoming more desolate and cold. We were supported by a wonderful crew of guides and porters who carried most of the luggage, set up the campsites and provided tasty meals, they truly were amazing, considering the conditions.

This was the toughest experience of my life, but the most amazing and life-changing I've ever had. The stunning views, the beautiful clear starry nights and the breathtaking sunrises I witnessed will stay with me forever.

The high altitude made the trek that much more challenging, most of us suffered in some way or another. The climb to the summit started at midnight, with our head torches lighting the way, it seemed to take forever and was not helped due to the fact the weather conditions were the most extreme they have had in over 10 years so it was such a relief to finally reach the summit at 8.30 in the morning, after over 8 hours trekking. Watching the sunrise was breathtaking, the beautiful views, with the snow and glaciers high above the clouds, made it all worthwhile.

Being able to put my CLIC Sargent t shirt on and pose at the summit, by the famous Kilimanjaro sign, made me feel like I had conquered the world.

Raising money for this amazing charity, and helping families with children who have been affected by cancer, has been an amazing experience. I would like to thank everyone, including Fiona & Bert from P&R Torbets, all the staff & management from last year at Loudoun Castle Theme Park, all my colleagues old and new, Scott Boothroyd, my postman and his colleagues, my very supportive and patient family and everyone who has sponsored me and supported me throughout my fundraising and the trek.

This trek was the hardest thing I have ever done, but I had a wonderful time with a great group of new friends and I hope my experience goes on to inspire other people to raise money for CLIC Sargent and help change the lives of families with children affected by cancer and leukaemia.

Although this is the end of my challenge, you have a few weeks left to help me reach my target of £5000.00, please dig deep to support this amazing charity, CLIC Sargent.

 

Just to let you all know, since setting up this page the dates of my charity challenge climb have changed to the 9th - 20th February 2011.

Those who know me will be staring at this in complete puzzlement!  

Janey, climbing Mt Kilimanjaro? 

I can see you asking, WHY?

Well I am! And yes, I am aware that there are no hotels (or even toilets) on the way up, no wine in the evening, that I will be camping & collecting drinking water and no doubt have many, many blisters on my feet. I also know that I will have to train loads to become fit enough to achieve my goal and will have to overcome many obstacles one of which is this tiny issue of Altitude Sickness.

You may think this is just part of my 40^th birthday celebrations or is it the start of a mid life crisis – you decide?

But all kidding aside, this is something that I decided to do following a visit to both the Schiehallion unit at Yorkhill hospital in Glasgow and Malcolm Sargent House in Prestwick at the end of last year. I was totally overwhelmed by the attitude and courage of all the families I met during my visits and this made me really think about what is actually important and actually how fortunate we are!! I decided to support Clic Sargent in their fundraising efforts and at the same time take on this crazy challenge.

 Every day 10 families are told their child has cancer. As the UK's leading children's cancer charity, CLIC Sargent is the only organisation to offer them all round care and support. That’s because they are there, every step of the way, as I will be until I reach the summit at 5,895 metres.

I don't know how much I'll raise for this great charity but thanks to the time I have spent at Loudoun Castle as one of the park managers, I have made loads of (hopefully generous) contacts! The park is helping out in many ways, both by their support and also hosting fundraising events this summer. They have also been kind enough to allow me to train on some of the rides (just have a look at the picture !!!!)

P&R Torbet in Kilmarnock have very generously donated my full kit for the climb, so all I need now is to get myself out there (accompanied by my new personal trainer, Foxy) and get fit enough so I don't let any of my sponsors down !!

 Now, if you would like to be a part of my mid life crisis !!!  Please sponsor me. Please feel free to make a donation, no matter how small. I'll appreciate anything that you can give to help support this great charity.

 

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So please dig deep and donate now.