Hi everyone, I am attempting to climb Mount Killimanjaro in Tanzania, which, at just under 6000 metres, is the highest free standing mountain in the world. We will be camping in tents, no hot showers and no warm beds! Apart from this, our biggest problem is likely to be altitude sickness, although we won’t know how badly this will affect each individual until we’re actually up there! It will take us 6.5 days up and 1.5 days down. The penultimate day, Summit Day, starts at midnight and is a 15 hour trek, with only 50% oxygen levels and is likely to be in temperatures as low as -20 degrees. However, I am determined to make it to the top; those of you that know me well will realise that this is no easy undertaking for me!! We will be doing the climb between 29th January and 5th February 2020.

I am totally self-funded, but have decided to use my climb to raise money for a newly registered charity. Last summer, my dear friend’s son committed suicide. He was only just 20 years old, had been a student at Chesham Grammar School and was attending a prestigious art school in London. The loss of such a talented and kind young man, who I had known since he was born, has shocked and deeply saddened me, my family, and all who knew him.

In his memory, The Julius Little Foundation has been created to raise money for young people with mental health problems. Julius suffered with depression and despite private healthcare, still fell through gaps in the system and took his own life. Free, accessible mental health care for young people is rare and typically only available to suicidal and self-harming individuals - by then it can be too late. Many of us know of someone who has struggled to cope in their teenage years or young adulthood.

Help me make a difference. Help us stop this growing tide of mental illness, which statistics show has become a huge problem in our society for our children and young people. We want to raise funds to help provide talking services for the young. We want to make a difference to others.

Thank you in advance for any kind donation.