Welcome to the Just Giving page of JUSTIN BANVILLE
Because we are also all that we've lost
Kilimanjaro - Job Done!
Uhuru Peak reached on the 27th of December 2008 - For initial report & pictures see HERE
THE GOOD CAUSE
It doesn’t take much for dreams to fall apart or for lives to be shattered by the unexpected. Most parents would undoubtedly attest to having the simplest though most important of aspirations. From inception to birth we all wish that each child is born healthy and that they go on to live long and happy lives. It is that simple but unfortunately not for everyone. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the United Kingdom's most common life-threatening inherited disease and currently affects over 8,000 people in the UK. Over two million people in the UK carry the faulty gene that causes Cystic Fibrosis – that’s around 1 in 25 of the population. If two carriers have a baby, the resulting child has a 1 in 4 chance of having Cystic Fibrosis.
Cystic Fibrosis is a condition which profoundly affects the internal organs, especially the lungs and digestive system by clogging both with thick sticky mucus. This makes it hard to breathe and to digest food. Each week, five babies are born with Cystic Fibrosis and each week, three young and immensely important lives are lost to the disease. Average life expectancy is around 31 years though improvements in treatments mean a baby born today could expect to live for longer.
There is currently no cure for Cystic Fibrosis and that is one of the reasons why the work of The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is so vitally important. Since it's founding in 1964, the CF Trust has been working to improve the lives of people affected by CF, to raise the profile of CF and fund important research into a cure. Their work also helps to ensure appropriate clinical care for those with Cystic Fibrosis and they provide essential information, advice, much needed support and where appropriate, financial assistance to anyone affected by Cystic Fibrosis.
For further information on either Cystic Fibrosis or the work of the CF Trust please see the ‘Further Information’ links below.
THE INSPIRATION
I’m not entirely sure exactly when (it was winter 2003), but I can remember a typically rainy evening at home where I'd found myself slumped in front of the television. I was in one of those particularly horrible, terribly volatile and ultimately pointless relationships at the time and things had been going as they so often would, very steadily pear shaped. So there I was feeling more than a touch self indulgently sorry for myself and wondering just how many clicks away I was from actually calling the Samaritans up when suddenly Alice appeared. I can't remember which but either the Beeb or Channel Four were screening a documentary called The Nine Lives of Alice Martineau. It wasn’t long (and astoundingly so considering my state of mind at the time), before I was totally enthralled and captivated by this most inspirational of individuals. Her little story which at times was so heart breaking, would also fascinate and ultimately inspire. Alice was born with Cystic Fibrosis but most sadly had lost her own battle with the disease in the spring of that very same year. In many ways the Nine Lives documentary portrayed Alice as a completely ordinary pretty young thing with all the hopes, dreams and aspirations of any other ordinary pretty young thing. But Alice’s highly effervescent character and incredible courage made her so unmistakably special. She was also so obviously determined to poke the proverbial up at her condition, her life was extremely precious and she valued it accordingly. She modelled, she also wrote songs, made music and even obtained her own record deal. Perhaps though what was to stick in my mind more than anything else, was that she seemed to have such an undeniable ability to bring joy to and enrich the lives of all those around her. No surprise then that I found my troubles of that whenever it was evening slowly but surely dissipating.
Hopefully I’ll now find myself with a very similar determination to that of Alice’s and dig as deep as she was able as I make my Christmas 2008 summit attempt of Kilimanjaro. So Alice you once beautiful little thing, the climb is for you and for all those who battle so bravely and tenaciously with Cystic Fibrosis!
THE OTHER INFORMATION
For all those who have taken the time and trouble to stop by and hopefully make a donation I offer my sincerest thanks. Many thanks also to both family and friends for their help, encouragement and support. My special thanks also to Ann of Ann Marie’s Sandwiches & Snacks of Luton for all her help and generosity, and a special thank you also goes to Jenny Westmoreland, Regional Fundraising Manager ~ Cystic Fibrosis Trust, South Central.
So everyone, I know we’re all presently going through some difficult economic moments but please do help me make this climb special by raising oodles of wonga for the CFT. Also if you’re interested and have time please do check out the following:
The Cystic Fibrosis Trust – Their Home on the Web
Alice Martineau – The Official Site
Alice Martineau – Channel 4 Micro Site
Ann Marie’s – Sandwiches and Snacks of Luton
Justin – More on me and my Challenge
