.

This is Gary.

I don't give a toss about Gary…

…Gary was fortunate to be born in the UK where he received a great upbringing, better education than he deserved and free healthcare that meant he has lived to his 50th year. Gary and I are both in the same situation. We have won life's lottery and have lived a healthy and charmed life where we have achieved ambitions, built lives and raised loving families.

Unfortunately this is not the case for everyone.

This October Gary and I are going to attempt to climb Kilimanjaro. It started out as as a reason to mark our 50th years. 50 years of privilege, 50 years growing up in a safe environment where we we educated, fed and loved. I would like to use this opportunity to help some people not as fortunate as myself to improve their lives and I'm asking everyone I know to help me do this.

The Children of the Rising Sun is an orphanage in Kenya a few hundred kilometres from the foothills of Kilimanjoro. The Children of the Rising Sun Home orphanage was opened by Cosmoa Maina and Leila Sorani on Casaurina Road, in 1994, giving orphans and children of destitute families a roof to live under – no matter what their situation.

In the UK we rarely see our children starved to death, we rarely see them beaten and battered, we rarely see them raped or trafficked, we rarely see them left to fend for themselves unable to have life's basics such as a safe place to live and an education to enable them to better their lives.

The residents of The Children of the Rising Sun have seen this this and more.

I was inspired by my good friend Harish Nathwani who has for the last few years badgered and poked his friends and family to give to these children. With his help the children are getting running water, better facilities, chances to grow their own food, a library and better school facilities. Harish has inspired me to try to do my bit to help these children.

Gary and I are self funding our climb. This means that every penny that you give will go towards The Children of the Rising Sun. You will not be contributing to the cost of the trip. Every penny that you give we will give to help these children.

In addition, I will endeavour to match your contributions with contributions from my clients, if together we can raise £1,000 I will badger my work mates, colleagues and clients to match this figure.

I really hope you can help us to help them.

Thank you