This is going to be a extremely amazing challenge for me and I am looking forward to it - but nervous at the same time as I will have to work my socks off!!  The Shooting Star Children’s Hospice is an amazing charity, details are contained on this page if you want more information.

I am contributing my own funds to this challenge as well as having to get all the necessary equipment to complete it.  With your help I can achieve my target and ultimately contribute to the overall Team Shooting Star target of 20k. Please dig deep as I have a large target. :-)

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

For those that know me well this challenge will involve giving up smoking and also embarking on a training programme - now that’s got to be worth donating for!!!
Thank you so much for supporting me.

Please also feel free to visit the 'Team Shooting Star' website www.teamshootingstar.co.uk for further information.

Thank you.

Darren

UPDATE 19th November 2008

Thank-you for all your donations so far....I really appreciate it.  Just to update i have now been off the fags for over 5 weeks and I’m attending the gym 3 times a week....This challenge is by far the best decision i have made in years..,.....Thanks for your support.

UPDATE 24th November 2008

A weekend in the Peak District saw the start 'Real walking' into the training programme as opposed to being in a comfortable Gym.....and actually, it was really good.  Despite the weather conditions.........  Feeling motivated and fit and ready for the Gym this evening....

UPDATE 28th November 2008

This week i have been to the Gym 5 times!!  Well i think i might be getting obsessed.....!  :-)  Still off the fags......on that note I’d like to add i don't have a bum chum......Thanks Mark for your donation.

 UPDATE 22nd January 2009

Well, only 10 weeks to go and I’m both getting more excited and nervous at the same time.  I'm still smoke free (3 1/2 months now) and feel really good for it.  I'm still attending the Gym a minimum of 4 times a week and again feel much better all round for doing this.

I now have to have all my inoculations and i can't say I’m that excited about being jabbed multiple times.... :-)

As a team we are also doing our group walks and have a 21 miles walk planned Saturday week........I’m looking forward to it :-)

Thank you again for your sponsorship and your time....I will keep everyone update including the picture of me at the top  (I hope! ).  

UPDATE 9th March 2009

Well, it's less than one month to go before we embark on the epic journey to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro  :-)  All preparations are in full motion now with several jabs in my arm and thinking will i ever be able to complete all the ticks on my kit list  - it's all getting very exciting :-)

If you want to know more about the team then visit  www.TeamShootingStar.co.uk