Raised: 140%
Target: £4,000.00
Raised so far: £5,614.87
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My story

 

Dear all my lovely friends, family and colleagues,

I have decided to climb Kilimanjaro in Tanzania this September to raise money for Umthombo; an organisation in South Africa that is doing fantastic work with street children. As many of you know, I spent several years living in South Africa, firstly working in development for a small NGO north of Durban, and later in documentary filmmaking, before settling back in the UK. When my friends out there told me about the incredible work that this organisation is doing I immediately wanted to see how I could help. Umthombo is run primarily by former street kids - they operate an outreach scheme, a safe area and a reintegration programme to help the kids get back on their feet in society. They're tackling, head on, the problems South Africa is suffering from during the social transition since the end of apartheid (crime, HIV, poverty etc) and, after a lot of thought and research, I have decided to do the trek as a means of raising money for their fantastic cause, and to perhaps make a small difference to a country that holds a huge place in my heart.

The trek is going to be tough. It's the highest freestanding mountain in the world and it takes 7 days to reach the summit (almost 6000m).  Many people who attempt the climb suffer from altitude sickness and exhaustion. Between now and September I will be doing some serious training to get my fitness levels up. I am slightly scared, but incredibly excited by the challenge. I will be paying an amount towards the trek myself but on top of that I need to raise a minimum of £4000. All donations on this site will go directly to Umthombo via the Amos Trust (their UK partner), some of which will go to cover costs. It's a huge amount of money, and very daunting, but with your support I know it's achievable. 

Any donation you are able to give, big or small, would be MASSIVELY appreciated. Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Umthombo gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

You can find out more at www.umthombo.org and www.amostrust.org and watch a video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3-cWyuvBYk and www.youtube.com/watch?v=EN_6ExBmsvg.

Amos Trust supports various projects around the world, but all the money that I raise by doing this will go to Umthombo Street Children.

Thank you all SO much in advance. I really appreciate your support.

Rachel xxx

more from St Paul's. Brilliant you made it!!! You're a star! Donation by Mum 20/09/09  

£165.00

More than half way to the top today! Great! Donation by for Trix & Richard 16/09/09  

£50.00

Donation by Gill Swain 11/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good luck Rach - great work with the fund raising and enjoy the climb. X Donation by Starky 11/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

A really great cause! Well done Rachel! Donation by Chris Mee 10/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

have a great trip, it will heaps of fun. I know if my brother was younger he would do it again. love Rosie Mus Donation by Mustapha Laljee 10/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

have a great time. then hurry back to us. we'll miss you! Donation by firefish 10/09/09  

£150.00

take it nice and s-l-o-w and you'll walk it Donation by Jem Fawcus 10/09/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Hi Rachel, Nad mentioned u were doing this trek & having done many years ago, you will enjoy the experience and the views. All the very best. Donation by Firoz Laljee 10/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Come and tell us all about it when you're done. What a great adventure for a wonderful cause! Donation by Brenda and Keith Wilson 08/09/09  

£50.00

gifts & sponsorship from St Paul's Caton Donation by Mum 07/09/09  

£120.00

I'm green with envy! I hope you have an amazing time and good on you for raising some much money for such a great cause!! Donation by Adele Hennessey 07/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

We admire your courage Rachel. Best wishess Donation by Isabel and Don Walker 06/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good luck - don't think the weather can be any worse than Cumbria. Donation by Martin & Gill Hodgson 03/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Best of luck Rachel - an experience of a lifetime! Donation by Beki Maher 28/08/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Don't forget the Vaseline. All that chafing and rubbing is deadly on the bum! Donation by Tim Allen 14/07/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Proceeds from Party Party/Dance for Life fundraising night! Donation by Rach 26/06/09  

£450.00

Sorry won't make it to the party Rach, here's my entrance fee! x Donation by Daniel Rose 19/06/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Go go Rachel! Donation by Sarah Eatock 11/06/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Respect and bon courage! Donation by Clair and Alain 29/05/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good Luck, We hope you achieve your goal, it will be an amazing achievement for such a good cause. Best wishes xxx Donation by Jo, Pete and Elizabeth Luke 28/05/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

BEST OF LUCK! If it's anything like Everest, I'm already jealous :) xx Donation by Ruth Roberts 18/05/09  

£40.00 + £11.28 Gift Aid

May the force be with you! x Donation by Anabelle 14/05/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Good Luck! Take a cigar for the top. Donation by Martin Smith 14/05/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Go Girl! Only £1000 to go now. You will be outstanding I have no doubt. Remember to take disposable pants & lots of wipes! Donation by Jude 14/05/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good luck Rachel - well done for doing it x Donation by Rachael Brereton 14/05/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good Luck Rach. Donation by warren 08/05/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Have fun on dat dere mountain xx Donation by Simon Martin 06/05/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

A very worthy cause close to our hearts also. Hope you make it! Donation by Pumpkin & Mom 06/05/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Good Luck! Donation by Vanessa Flockhart 01/05/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £4,400.00
  Offline donations: £1,214.87
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £645.76

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