Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

With retirement and 65th birthday fast approaching and people saying conciliatory things like "don't worry, 65 is the new 35" I thought I should be doing something different for my retirement and 65th birthday celebration instead of going out for a meal or having a "SURPRISE PARTY"

So here I am, decision made,  in a months time I am flying off to Nepal, Katmandu, a 16 day trek, 2 mountain summits to Everest base camp from where, on the 4th December, health and Acute Mountain Sickness permitting with another 80 plus competitors, I shall start the Everest Marathon, 26 miles 385 yards to Namche Bazaar.

The Everest marathon is the highest and possibly the toughest marathon in the world and as I appear to be, at 65 the oldest competitor in the race, I thought it might be an opportunity to raise money for 2 very worthwhile charities, Guide Dogs for the Blind and The Everest Marathon Fund. Guide Dogs is a charity familiar to most people  but the Everest Marathon Fund supports grass roots health and education development projects in Nepal, the 5th poorest country in the world. More information about the fund can be found on www.everestmarathon.org.uk .

I have funded myself totally for the trip so that every pound, dollar, euro or kroner I raise will be divided 50/50 between the 2 charities.

Training:

Training has been going well and there has been no problem from the achilles tendon snapped in 2007.  I have been managing upwards of 60 miles a week almost all off road in amongst the hills and valleys of the Cheviots in Northumberland so I am possibly as good a condition as can be expected of a pensioner.

It will be possible to follow the progress of the trip on www.sleepmonster.com  from about the 18th November and I will give a report when I return. If I get chance to get into an internet cafe I will try to update this page whilst I am in Nepal so keep an eye on it from 16th November onwards.

Please give this appeal your generous consideration and help 2 very worthy charities by using JustGiving or by sending a donation direct to myself at 30 Doddington Drive, Cramlington NE23 6DG, Northumberland. 

                                                       Many thanks

                                                                Ivan   

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.