Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. I am climbing Kilimanjaro in support of Newlife charity, which provides equipment, nurses and funds to disabled children around the UK. They also support medical research in order to extend and improve these children’s lives. My inspiration for supporting this charity is my good friend Marchant, who has cerebral palsy, and hence cannot speak (though he has been known to at certain times!) and has limited control of his movements. Raising money for this charity is something we began almost 2 years ago. In May 2013 I ran the Bristol 10k with Marchant. His good friend Paul and I pushed him around the course in his wheelchair, and he walked across the finish line. 

There was ice on the ground in January 2013 when Marchant told me he wanted to do the 10 kilometre race in May. His dream is to be able to run, and entering a race, as a completely new experience for him, seemed the best place to start. Bai, his learning support assistant at the time, signed up to join him. Paul is a good friend of Marchant's and agreed to help push the wheelchair round the course, with the repeated insistence that he was “definitely not a runner”. 

Marchant was determined to walk the last bit before the finish line. He hoped to get a new walker which supports his weight in order to do it. The charity essential in getting it, and the £12’000 standing chair which strengthens his legs, is called Newlife. It was this charity that emblazoned our “TEAM MARCHANT” dashing purple t-shirts.  New life buys equipment for children who are disabled. This is crucial for the lives of children who would not get funding from social services. 

So race day arrived, and though the crowd overwhelmed Marchant slightly, he was as determined as I was excitable. With Paul and me taking turns at the wheel, we were off. I think Marchant dreaded my turn to push, as I enjoyed turning corners far too fast. I tried not to run anyone over. Paul was much steadier. The crowds were amazing, screaming at as to keep going; we were doing fantastically. We passed several bananas and some dogs on the way round; they were getting quite sweaty in their costumes by the end.

Metres before the finish line we stopped. We waited for the stander chair so Marchant could walk across the finish line. Bai caught up and along with an old friend of Marchant’s and his mum and dad, helped him into the chair. Once he was in, we had to warm his legs up after sitting down for so long. And then he took his first step. And then he stopped. And then he took another. Walking every day, you don’t understand the complexity of the movement until you watch Marchant try to do it. You have to stop your toes dragging on the floor. You have to sustain momentum. The more Marchant wants to do something; often the harder it is to do it. And walking that 50m was one of the hardest. The crowd cheered. We all kept up encouragement “1 and 2 and 1 and 2.” And Marchant did it. He crossed the finish line by himself. It was incredible; it really was, to see him walking.

I’m climbing Kilimanjaro in support of Marchant, who is the bravest and kindest person I know. Please give a little towards the charity that have helped Marchant so much, it will be greatly appreciated.

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. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.