Raised: 59%
Target: £5,895.00
Raised so far: £3,502.00
Donate now

My story

 

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

My first photo on this page shows that Mount Kilimanjaro appears to be only twice the height of a giraffe, so how difficult can this climb be, right?

Actually, Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa, at 5895 meters, and mountaineers will tell you that it is the most underrated mountain in the world. Only 60% of those who even try and climb it succeed, because although you can trek your way up to the top without any technical climbing skills, the conditions are extreme. The temperature plummets from 30 degrees Celsius lower down, to minus twenty at the summit at 19,341 feet. Altitude sickness is the biggest problem, with severe headaches, dizziness, sickness & loss of appetite a probability rather than a possibility. Sounds like fun, huh?

So why am I doing this? Well, I've watched with admiration as friends of mine have raised money by running marathons, or by cycling across Israel, Brazil or Vietnam,  but not once have I been inclined to join them. However, July 2009 marked the 20th anniversary of my mother's death, following a ten-year fight against cancer, and now seems the right time for me to do something worthwhile, in her memory.

In February 2009 my wife Liz & I watched the BBC Red Nose Day appeal on TV, and saw Cheryl Cole, Chris Moyles and other "celebrities" climb Kilimanjaro. I thought if Moyles can do it, so can I. Rather worryingly, my wife seemed very keen to support the idea that I should go and climb a mountain where there is only 50% oxygen at the summit!  I've never even slept in a tent before, let alone owned a pair of climbing boots or a sleeping bag, but have already started training for what will no doubt be a physically, mentally and emotionally-exhausting 11 days next February.

I also decided that this would be an excellent way for me to raise money for a very worthy charity. I recently visited the Lynda Jackson Macmillan Centre, at Mount Vernon hospital in Northwood, which is a drop-in centre where anyone affected by cancer can talk, ask questions and get support & information on cancer, its treatments & side-effects, managing the impact of cancer, and other practical issues. They also offer complementary therapies, relaxation sessions, counselling sessions and many other services. In short, they work to improve the lives of people affected by cancer.

I am aiming to raise £5895 in sponsorship, to help them with their excellent work, which would work out at £1 per metre of my climb up Kilimanjaro. I realise this is a lot of money, but I'm counting on your generous support to help me reach that target. Please sponsor me for as many metres as possible!

 

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 - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.

Thank you!

 

David Stern

Sorry to let you down, but do you think I'm mad!! Have fun - and look after Ray.. Donation by Dean 30/10/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Donation by Laurence Ball 07/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

What an amazing experience and cause. We wish you a healthy climb.... Donation by Marc & Helena Granger 04/10/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Hi David want to raise a toast to you &this worthy cause. I have lost several very close relatives to Cancer. God Bless Sue Donation by Susan Allen 02/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

A fantastic challenge and for a wonderful cause, feel very lazy as I see you running in the mornings Esther XX Donation by esther Bayes 02/10/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Please can you take Nick with you, another £100 if you leave him up there. It will be amazing, good luck. Robin Donation by Robin Jones 30/09/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

best of luck David, i'm sure your Mum would have been very proud! Donation by Andrew Sapio 25/09/09  

£50.00

it will be a fantastic experience - enjoy and well done love michelle and family xxx Donation by Michelle Sorrell 24/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck David - a worth efforst for an excellent cause. Best wishes, Jeanette Donation by Jeanette Harwood 23/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

What a brave bunny you are - or are you a mad bunny??? Have fun and be safe. Love C&O xxx Donation by C&O 15/09/09  

£100.00

We wish you loads of luck! Hope you are not afraid of heights! Donation by Mandy and Nigel Stanley 14/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

Good luck on your journey all for a great cause Best wishes, Liz Donation by Liz Schrek 14/09/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

best of luck . great to be doing this. thanks simon ps i am a friend/colleague of carolynne's. . Donation by simon mortimer 11/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

How bout running the marathon next?! Fantastic cause - do you need a good rucksack?! Good luck and happy trekking. Paul & Linda xx Donation by Paul & Linda Gelernter 09/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

David now I know you are mad but this proves it. Honestly good luck with the climb and take a Chelsea flag with you - I want to see the pitcures!! Donation by Bernice 09/09/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Best of luck, and remember, Chris Moyles says take lots of chocolate with you for energy! Donation by Gary and Jane Gamp 09/09/09  

£100.00

Good Luck....so is this the warm up for Everest ? Donation by Paul Godfrey 08/09/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Donation by keith lassman 07/09/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Just hope there's a bar at the top!! otherwise we'll get some Corona flown in. Great stuff, good luck to you all. Donation by morris mindel 05/09/09  

£200.00 + £56.41 Gift Aid

I am sure Chelsea are at home that week! Donation by Jonathan Miller 05/09/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Its surprising what some people will do to get away from their family for a week. I am still convinced that you will take your skis with you. Donation by howard sheldon 02/09/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Good luck. Hope there's a long chairlift ! Donation by David Edelman 31/07/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

David best of luck with the walk - it's for a great cause.I hope you don't miss too many Chelsea games - the coverage won't be great where you are! Donation by nicholas rember 30/06/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

We still think you're mad but good luck bruv and well done for raising money for such a worthwhile cause. Love S, M, N, H and D. Donation by Simon Stern 26/06/09  

£100.00

Good luck with the walk. Don't forget to take your skis in case there is snow at the top ! Donation by Paul Giles 26/06/09  

£30.00 + £8.46 Gift Aid

I want to see the pictures of you suffering! (But not the throwing up) I wish I was going with you. Good luck! Donation by Owen Manderfield 25/06/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid
Donate now
 
* Total raised online: £1,820.00
  Offline donations: £1,682.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £414.62

* Charities pay a small fee for our service.
Find out how much it is and what we do for it.