Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

During our deployment we are using some of our time to raise money for both the Southampton Neonatal Unit and the Association for Spina Bifida. The first event we are holding is to climb the 10 highest mountains in the world, a total of 83,793 meters! There will be many other events to come and we hope to raise £2,500 for each charity. All updates of what we are getting up to will be posted on our Just Giving pages. Please use this page to donate to the Association for Spina Bifida or visit www.justgiving.com/MCM2CREW2-DEPLOYMENT-CHALLENGE to donate to the Southampton Neonatal Unit.

 

 So please dig deep and donate now.

 

30 September 2010

Dear Friends of HMS CHIDDINGFOLD and MCM2 Crew 2,

Welcome to the first Challenge update!  This is the Captain here, Lt Cdr Adam Northover.  The long climb has begun.  ET(ME) 'Fatty' Arbuckle was the first to set off, with me in hot pursuit.  It's clearly going to be an incredible challenge.  In the 24 hrs since it started we have made good progress.  We are now at 800m - clearly a long way to go!  I think 800m is probably just outside the car park on the way to Everest Base Camp!

As we settle into our sea routines more people will join the challenge and progress will be quicker.

These two charities were chosen solely by the crew without influence from me, so they mean a lot to them for a variety of reasons.  I appreciate any support you can give in these difficult times.

The climber itself is in what is known as The Rectifier Compartment which is back aft below The Sweep Deck.  The compartment is not air conditioned, so with outside air temperatures in the mid 40's it is like an oven in there and this is even more of a challenge.  Hydration is essential!

As we go along I will be asking the sailors taking part to update their progress in mini-blogs so you get a feel for how we are all finding the challenge.

Thank you again for your support, and I look forward to the donations starting to accumulate.  Thank you,

Adam Northover - Commanding Officer

08 November 2010

Hello again - It's nice of you to visit our charity page.  The Captain here again.  I'll convince one of the other crew to update next time.

The climb continues.  We have now completed 2 of the 10 mountains we are hoping to climb for our nominated charities.  Annapurna and Nangaparbat are conquered and have the White Ensign fluttering from the highest peak (metaphorically speaking) and we begin the next one.

Over 16,000 metres done and 8 more mountains to go. 

We've been pretty busy with work of late so hopefully our next period at sea will allow a bit more focus from the whole crew on the climb.

My Deputy Weapon Engineer, Petty Officer Richard Nicholls is currently top of the leader board with me hot on his heels.

I understand that the Neonatal Unit in Southampton have details of our climb in their reception area and hopefully visitors there are beginning to donate.  Thank you for your support so far.  Please tell all your friends and families of these 2 worthwhile causes.

The temperatures in the region have dropped to around 28 degrees on average (considering it was topping 50 degrees in the summer this is a welcome relief), that said there is little ventilation in the compartment where the stepper is situated so we are still reaching temperatures in the 40's down there.

We had rain for the first time since our arrival in the Gulf on Saturday.  I'd forgotten what it looked like after 4 1/2 months without any!

What's on my iPod whilst climbing?

I've pretty eclectic music tastes, but have been listening to the following albums recently:

Won't Go Quietly by Example

MAYA by M.I.A.

and the slightly obviously titled Alive Till I'm Dead by Professor Green

although Example is winning in the Beats Per Minute stakes to get the climb done!

We'll update you again at the end of the month with progress, but please keep supporting us and visiting the site and letting your friends know what we are doing.

All the best from all of us in the Arabian Gulf,

Adam Northover

Commanding Officer