On 26th January 2011,  I will embark to "tick off the box" on one of the "Top 10 things I endeavour to do in my lifetime" by trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, venturing to reach the snow-capped summit (but disappearing fast!), Uhuru Peak, at a neck straining 5,896 meters / 19,340 feet alongside my wife Petra and a further group of likeminded troupers. Yet, the journey alone would not be worth the effort unless we helped others in our quest, and that's where Destiny of a Child comes in. So PLEASE READ ON! 

FALQ's (Frequently Asked Legitimate Questions!):

Q)  Ok Jeff, I'm very curious now, so just what is this Destiny of a Child thing anyhow?

A) Well, as you can read in detail on their website at www.destinyofachild.com, the mandate of the umbrella charity is to help profoundly deaf children in the UK & France gain access to cochlear implantation devices which help replicate the sensation of sound, thus enhancing their chances of leading more normal lives. The 2 underlying charities that will benefit the most from the fundraising are http://www.earfoundation.org.uk/ and http://www.generation-cochlee.fr/ in France.

Q) Sounds pretty cool, are these the only charities you are supporting?

A) Heck no! It would be pretentious not to give something back to the local community upon which we will descend! In addition to the the previous mentioned charities, we will also strive to enhance the lives of local Tanzanian orphans who have been adversely impacted by AIDS in their lives by raising money for http://www.ace-africa.org/  Yeah, there's lots more good stuff on their website also...

Q) Are you sure Jeff my donation will make it to the bottom line???

A) 99,999% guaranteed!!! These charities have been personally vetted and visited by the organizers of the expedition (please see Destiny web site for a glimpse of their trusting faces!) who we in the local Sevenoaks, Kent community know very well and will of course be with us every step of the way.

Q) Yeah, um...speaking of steps, at near 6000m to the summit there sure will be a lot of them. I can see from your pictures that you've done some of this trekking stuff before, but are you sure you're up for this one? Sounds like a lot of effort to see some bloody hole in the ground!

A) Yeah, I get your point...kind of! The challenge is very achievable, but is nonetheless not to be taken lightly, as we can expect freezing cold temperatures at night and burning sun during the day, with oxygen levels at the summit only half those at sea level. In fact, mountain sickness is probably the biggest risk we'll face, but as you said I've done this stuff before and kinda like it, ya know? With virtually no surface water, only lichens can survive up there. I endeavour to be one of those lichens and not only survive, but thrive!

Q) I heard real tough guys can mountainbike up Kili, so why are you taking the easy way out, dude?

A) Well, I thought hard about it but don't want to carry the extra weight of the spare tubes this time so maybe the year after...:)

Q) Ok, you convinced me that despite you actually enjoying this challenge IT IS for a very good cause nonetheless, how much do I have to donate as I've already supported quite a few worthy charities this year?!?!?

A) The sincere answer is whatever amount you feel appropriate is all right by me, there is no "right" or "wrong" when it comes to donations! My aim is to raise a minimum of £2,500.00, and anything you can contribute to help me reach this goal is greatly appreciated.