UPDATE: On Thursday 10th February 2011 at around 6.30am I summitted Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro.  It was truly the toughest thing I have ever had to do.  Physically it is completely draining with limited oxygen, a headache and heartbeat that pounds like you've never known before, and legs that can best be described as similar to that of a baby giraffe standing for the first time.  But, more challenging was the psychological element.  Persuading yourself that you can keep walking no matter what both your head and heart believe at the time is something I hadn't really considered prior to the trip. I learned so much about myself over the 8 days climbing and will never underestimate myself again. But, as I say, I did it ... I reached the top and after a number of days to think about my achievement I am so proud of myself.  The memories and friendships will last forever.

Hi All,

Welcome to my fundraising page for doing my mammoth 8day climb of Kilimanjaro Feb 2011, Lemosho route, in aid of Breast Cancer Care www.breastcancercare.org.uk/

 

After making a 60 second video on "Why I want to climb Kilimanjaro", see left or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWOmE3O7rdU&feature=player_embedded , I was chosen as 1 of the 3 Sportingbet worldwide employees to climb Kilimanjaro. I'm from a family of 5 girls and I cannot wait to get to the top of Kilimanjaro! A big thank you to my sisters, Daddy / Orla, colleagues and brilliant friends for supporting me and believing I can do it! I’ve been working as a PA at Sportingbet Dublin for 10 months now, have a real lust for life, relish a challenge and am looking forward to being part of a great group of people whilst raising money for charity. So, “ain’t no mountain high enough, ain’t no river wide enough” - Don't worry... I'll leave the karaoke machine at home :) Kilimanjaro, here I come!

With the help of family and friends I will be arranging a funfilled fundraising night on January 28th 2011 in McGowans of Phibsboro www.mcgowans.ie and hope to see as many of you there as possible :) Drop me a text for more info 0863406084 or Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=158752944135903

For now, on with the training! Ouch!

All donations are greatly appreciated :)

The Sportingbet Plc Story

On the 2nd February 2011 two Directors and four members of staff from Sportingbet plc making up in total a group of sixteen friends from within the gambling industry and outside will fly out to Tanzania, to attempt to reach the summit of the world’s highest freestanding mountain and Africa’s highest peak - Mount Kilimanjaro.

To read more about each member of the team see here: http://charitykiliclimb.com/team.html

Kilimanjaro is in North-East Tanzania and is the largest free standing mountain in the world, rising to 5895 metres (19,341 feet) above sea level. In many lists, Kilimanjaro is now one of the new “seven wonders” of the world. Kilimanjaro is an inactive volcano (you will see the crater at the summit) and has three volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. We pass on or around these during the climb. The base of the mountain is above sea level so the mountain actually rises approximately 5,100 m/16,732 ft from the plains near Moshi (where we will stay). Approximately 20,000 people attempt to climb Kilimanjaro each year, and approximately 67% succeed.

The trek will take us on the less-trodden Lemosho route where the terrain and climbing conditions change markedly as the group ascend the mountain. We will pass through thick rain forest with its extreme humidity, next passing through giant heather moorland and scree where temperatures slowly drop ever closer to freezing point. Sleeping for seven nights at below freezing for the most part, the initial climb is nothing compared to the summit to the highest point of the crater, Uhuru Peak, where the temperature plummets to around -20 to -30 degrees at times.

And the bit I'm really dreading.... As we climb, there are a number of physiological changes that occur, which enable the body to function optimally in the low oxygen environment. These changes are perfectly normal and happen to absolutely everyone. The initial and most important adjustments are an increase in the frequency and depth of breathing. Depending upon how fit you are, the heart will also pump faster (though you will not notice until you lie down to go to sleep!). Importantly, red blood cell production increases, resulting in an increased haemoglobin concentration, which is required to pick up oxygen and transport it around the body. Basically we all get more efficient at oxygen transporting. These mechanisms enable the body to continue to deliver enough oxygen to each cell, despite the lower oxygen level.

Going through these changes can, in some people cause headaches, mild dizziness or in rare cases sickness. These are by-products of the changes are known as “Altitude Sickness”. Whilst 95% of people get altitude sickness, for almost everyone the symptoms pass after a few hours when you are adjusted. The slower you climb up and the longer you take the more chance the body has of acclimatising naturally - hence the choosing of the route with MAL. This is why altitude sickness is more common in the young: because they try and climb too quickly.

100% of all donations will be passed to the charities with no deduction for administrative purposes.

Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Haven

We are raising money for two breast cancer charities: Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Haven. Donations to our breast cancer charities will be split between the two.

Breast Cancer Care combines the personal experiences of people affected by breast cancer with clinical expertise, using this in a unique way to: provide information and offer emotional and practical support to sufferers; bring people affected by breast cancer together; campaign for improvement in standards of support and care and promote the importance of early detection.

Breast Cancer Haven was founded by Sara Davenport in 1997 following the experience of her children's nanny who was diagnosed with the illness. Sara was concerned by the lack of emotional support and information available to people with breast cancer. Believing that "no-one should have to face breast cancer alone", Sara sold her art business and put all of her energy into creating Breast Cancer Haven. Despite a welcome increase in breast cancer awareness, Breast Cancer Haven remains the only charity that promotes integrated healthcare specifically designed to support people through their breast cancer treatment.

Thank you and I really appreciate every penny :) x