Story
<p>Last year I went to Everest Base Camp for Genesis and I thought that was tough. I wanted to show my support for my mum who went through breast cancer last year and I am so grateful for all of you who donated last time.</p>
<p>You'll all be glad to hear that mum is now mended thanks to such great friends and family but also thanks to Genesis who offered help and support every step of the way. I want to thank them for their hard work so...</p>
<p>This year I am climbing Kilimanjaro for them. Higher, faster, harder and this time...in tents!</p>
<p>If I thought the lack of a decent toilet was difficult last time in the Himalayas (admitted, I did grow quite fond of the old rocky outcrops...), I've now opted to forsake beds and rooves as well. Yes, ladies and gents, I'm camping. This really will be well and truly getting back to nature...and it will not be easy, but for such a great charity I'm sure it will all be worth it in the end.</p>
<p>Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain in the world rising 5,895m (19,341m) above sea-level. And although higher than Base Camp, the climb is shorter (6 days) and therefore, A LOT harder! After walking up the beast for 5 long days we must then attempt the summit starting our climb in the dead of night at midnight with an aim to reach the summit around 6am. This will not only be mentally tough, it will also be incredibly physically difficult - in part due to the "one step forward, two steps back" nature of the volcanic scree as you edge closer to the roof of Africa, but also due to the altitude.</p>
<p>I now know what to expect from extreme altitude and I can say with certainty that it is not pleasant. It feels as if your lungs are two tiny balloons straining to let enough air inside just to sustain you for that next step uphill. Like if you breathe out fully you run the risk of emptying them completely and rendering them useless for your next intake of air. BUT, if this challenege wasn't difficult I very much doubt anyone would sponsor me to do it!</p>
<p>It won't be easy, and it sure as hell won't be comfortable but Genesis deserve as much money as we can possibly raise for them to carry on their great work, and the harder the challenge (hopefully!) the bigger the reward for them.</p>
<p>So, why Genesis? As many of you may know, my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer last year and Genesis have been absolutely fundamental to her recovery. Not only are they a passionate and hard working group of people, but the work they do both in supporting cancer sufferers, and their research into the prevention of cancer is crucial to helping sufferers live with, and hopefully one day erradicating the awful disease.</p>
<p>Currently less than 2% of breast cancer research revolves around investigating prevention - and as the old adage states, "prevention is better than a cure" - so it seems absurd that so little emphasis is put on researching this avenue. This, combined with the fact that Genesis is a smaller, more regional charity, means that you can be sure that every penny donated will be appreciated and used to its maximum potential. </p>
<p>A shocking 1 in 10 women will suffer from breast cancer, and whether you are male or female, everyone has a mum. If, like me, you would like nothing more than to reduce the prevalence of this disease for everyone's mums, daughters, aunties, grandmas, girlfriends, and girl- friends, then please dig deep and help me raise as much as possible for a charity that really is making a difference in our fight against cancer.</p>
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