Thanks for visiting my page - so what's it all about?

In February '09 I'm going to trek up to Everest base camp in aid of the VSO Education Programme in Nepal.  Their mission is to make education available to all, especially marginalised groups such as girls and lower caste groups.  I and many of you have all benefited from fantastic higher education, providing us with the luxury of choice.  It's certainly made a difference to my life.  This is something VSO want to help make happen in Nepal and around the world. 

What's so tough about the challenge?

Everest Base Camp is situated at 18,192 feet (5545m), which is about half as high as a passenger jet cruises at, four times the height of Ben Nevis, 2,000ft higher than Mont Blanc, and just 350m less than the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.  That's a long way up.  Not only will it be brass monkey cold (about -20C at night) but there's only about 70% as much oxygen knocking around up there as there is at sea level.  Check here for the interesting new ways in which I might damage myself:  http://www.basecampmd.com/ .  We'll be trekking from Lukla (2800m high) to Everest Base Camp and Kala Pattar (5545m) over 14 days, typically trekking between 6 and 10 hours a day at altitude, living out of tents, and probably smelling.  Other enjoyable aspects of this little jaunt are the continual threat of food poisoning, and having to pee in a bottle during the night because it's too cold to get out of your sleeping bag.  Nice.

Firstly, and most importantly, you'll be supporting the work of VSO in Nepal.  See here for the types of work they do:  http://www.vso.org.uk/about/cprofiles/nepal.asp .  Just so you don't think I'm off on some sort of jolly at your expense, let me make it clear that I'm paying the £1300 fees for this myself - which means that ALL of your donation goes direct to VSO. 

Secondly,if that wasn't enough motivation, you'll get to laugh long, hard and often at me as I try and stay off the ciggies (permanently), out of the pub (at least for the next 6 months... most of the time), and on the straight and narrow getting fit (whatever that means).

Finally, if you want, you'll get hilarious, regular updates* on how the training 'regime' is going. 

I'm sold - how can I help?

Cough up some of your hard-earned right now on this site.  If you're thinking twice, just visualise me wheezing up some bloody great hill in Nepal - you know it's worth it.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Voluntary Service Overseas will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Cheers for your support! 

Jase

*These updates are likely to be neither hilarious, nor regular.