Hi Everyone,

Joe and I have always wanted to climb . Our passion for Africa began when we visited 2 years ago and helped renovate a school. It was a life changing experience and extremely rewarding. It was a priviledge to go and do our little bit to help and be welcomed with such generosity and kindness into the lives of the local people.

Some Uni friends of Joe's suggested the Kili trip a while ago and so a group of 5 of us are going to do it. It is also the perfect opportunity to help raise some funds for our local charity near Bishop's Stortford called St Elizabeth's.

A bit of background information on our chosen charity:-

St Elizabeth's is one of only two centres in the UK for people with epilepsy, autism and other complex needs from the age of 5 upwards. The charity provides specialist care, education, training and therapeutic activities for over 220 children, young people and adults.

For over 100 years St Elizabeth's centre at Much Hadham in has offered education, care, social and health support to vulnerable people of all ages with a range of special needs. Today the 68 acre site hosts a residential non-maintained special school for children and young people age 5-19 years old; a college for 37 learners in the 18-25 age range who aspire to more independent lifestyles, living in their own flatlets on and off site; and a 'village' of modern bungalows for 105 adult residents.

The centre is a truly unique community and it is only with the ongoing support of the wider community and supporters that they are able to continue to provide care, education and support that the adults, young people and children need to be able to flourish and reach their full potential.

So I hope you agree it is a great charity to support and as it is one of only 2 centres in the country it is particularly important to ensure it can continue to help so many people with complex needs.

As you may or may not know climbing is pretty tough, you can never tell how the altitude will affect you, but you can do other things to help prepare yourself. In preparation Joe and I have been trying to get as fit as possible and have been doing a lot of swimming, spinning, body pump and yoga. Hopefully it will pay off!

So finally any donations would be much appreciated and thank you for your support and generosity. We will keep you updated on our progress and let you all know how it goes.

Kirsty & Joe

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