Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.  

On the 5th October this year I am planning to climb the highest freestanding mountain in the world – Kilimanjaro – to raise money for LITTLE HAVENS CHILDREN’S HOSPICE.  

My employer Amlin Plc, through its Charity Committee, has adopted Little Havens as its local charity to our Chelmsford Office and I am attempting to raise a minimum of £10,000 in support of this.   

Little Havens provides care for children, and their families, affected by life-threatening and life-limiting illnesses, throughout Essex and the outer London Boroughs.   

They are currently supporting 125 children and their families for regular respite care and a further 150 families for bereavement support. Their annual operating costs are £1.6million and only 2% of this is from government funding. Little Havens’ care is free to those who need it. Visit www.havenshospices.org.uk for further information.  

The cost of my trip with all my expenses is being funded by me with some assistance from Amlin in respect of the trip. This means every penny you give and I raise goes to Little Havens and does not subsidise the cost of my trip.  

You may be aware fund raising is not new to me. In 2001 and 2004 I undertook trekking challenges to Iceland and the Sahara respectively and raised in excess of £10,000 for charity (the picture on the left is me in the mid day sun in the Sahara in 2004).   

As I am not getting any younger, I have decided to push myself to the limit and beyond and attempt one final challenge and by far the biggest one yet.  

To help you appreciate the personal sacrifices and commitment I have to undertake I detail below the training programme I have developed to prepare me for the 5896 metre (19343 feet) climb. You may consider this excessive but please bear in mind before I started training last May I was in excess of 20stone with marginal fitness. I also have a demanding day job and a young family that take a high priority.

Kili is almost 4 ½ times higher thanBen Nevis and 500 metres higher than Everest Base Camp. Several trekkers each year lose their life attempting Kili. 

 I hope that you will consider sponsoring me in my challenge, which I am fully aware is an insignificant one compared with the challenge that Little Havens’ children and their families face each day.   

The best way to sponsor me is to donating through this site. It is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me. Little Havens will receive your money faster and, if you are ataxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.  

Many thanks  

David

David Overall ’s Kilimanjaro Training Regime 

 May 2006 to April 2007    

7–10 hours a week in gym 

May 2007  

10–14 hours a week in gym

2 x 20 mile weekend walks  

 June 2007 

7–10 hours a week in gym 

2 x 20 mile weekend walks  

10 mile walk home from Chelmsford Office – twice a week  

75 mile 3 day trek – incorporating an ascent ofSnowdon at 1085 metres carrying full camping kit

 July 2007 

 7–10 hours a week in gym 

 10 mile walk home from Chelmsford Office – twice a week 

120 mile 4 day solo trek of part of The Pennine Way carrying full camping kit

 August 2007   

4 day guided trek across thePirinMountains from Bulgaria to Greece – incorporatingMountVihren at 2914 metres and carrying full camping kit  .

 September 2007 / First week of October 2007   

30 minutes swimming every day

 1 hour in gym every day 

2 x 60 mile weekend walks  

 4 weeks sleeping in oxygen tent with 50% less oxygen to acclimatise and hopefully avoid altitude sickness   

1 hour a day rowing in oxygen tent at 50% less oxygen