MOUNT KILIMANJARO FUNDRAISING CHARITY CHALLENGE!

Hello!

My Dad and I are raising funds for Melanoma UK and PMGY Foundation. In March 2018, we shall be taking on the biggest challenge of our lives, an 8 day trek, climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania - a staggering 5895m tall (that’s 1403 double decker buses stacked on top of each other) with temperatures at the summit plummeting to minus 20, brrrr! But that’s nothing compared to the life changing story below:

Our decision to raise money for Melanoma UK, was after meeting a colleague at AW Hainsworth Stanningley, Stuart Brown – a loving single parent to his 8 year old son. In December 2015 Stu went to the Doctors with an itchy mole on his back - he was sent into Hospital to have surgery and received news the mole was Melanoma. Skin cancer! Doctors followed this by operating on him a further SEVEN times over the next 2 years, removing cancer tumours which have been persistent in growing back, and having to have his lymph glands removed. Stu always having the underlying thought of what could happen if he doesn’t fight hard enough against the cancer and can you imagine leaving a child, your child without parents to grow up in this world? These have been Stu’s thoughts over the past 8 surgical procedures all in hope he can be patched up until his son is 18. Melanoma UK are only a small charity running from donations, and so we would love to contribute something towards them and future development in treating this awful condition. Also, the ongoing fundraising which we are doing will hopefully give Stu a boost knowing that everyone has his back.

The second charity, PMGY Foundation, is one which Georgina worked closely with on her trip to South Africa in 2015 to help children within the Cape Town Townships. Having seen first hand what a difference the donations can make has made us really want to raise more towards them. The charity provides financial aid on projects to build better communities, to various struggling countries across the globe. The charity is working hard to try relieving poverty in a way that allows the communities to be self sustainable, through the necessary support and education. Which is a brilliant way to go about relieving poverty, instead of just providing, they teach.

We will be splitting the donations between the 2 charities, and hope that by us putting our lives on the line, it helps someone else’s. Any donation, big or small, is hugely appreciated to help us reach the £2000 target!

Even if you choose not to, be aware that sun burn increases your chance of getting melanoma. As an adult Stu never got sun burnt, although as a child he did. Please, please, please take care to protect your children against the sun.

Thank-you,

Georgina & Tim Spikings

(A 20 and 51 year old father daughter act from Pudsey just trying to make a little difference)