Hi Everyone,

Firstly, thank you for taking the time to visit my Just Giving Page. Your continued support is very much appreciated, not just by myself, but by my whole family.

On the 11^th of October 2017, I, alongside my very close friend Lilly Sabri, will be embarking on a challenge of a lifetime, that will hopefully see us summit Mt Kilimanjaro - one of the largest volcanoes to ever breakthrough the earths crust.

As many of you are aware, in October 2014, I lost my Dear and Beautiful Mum – Ann O’Leary, to the awful disease that is Pancreatic cancer. Unfortunately, too many of us today know of the pain and suffering losing a loved one causes, that stays with you and never goes away.

During the next 3 months, our main aim is to raise as much awareness and money for Pancreatic Cancer UK as possible, to try and prevent more families going through the loss of a loved one, taken from us way too soon.

By 2020, Pancreatic cancer will be the 4^th largest killing cancer in the UK. Every day in the UK, 24 families are given the news that someone they love has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. For decades, pancreatic cancer has remained on the side lines, with survival rates stuck at 3%. Over the last 10 years it has received only 1% of the UK cancer research budget. THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE.

Pancreatic Cancer UK are constantly trying to make a difference to　people’s lives, investing in research to combat and detect this disease earlier, as well as lobbying for greater recognition, whilst being a continued support for all involved in the fight.

Kilimanjaro will challenge us not only physically but also mentally. Trekking for 6-8hours per day whilst battling the altitude on the mountain up to the summit of 5895m and experiencing nightly temperatures of down to -15 degrees (a slight difference from recently living in the desert). We will also be supported by the fantastic group that is Charity Challenge who will be filming our every move.

Over the next few months we would love for you to join us on our journey, through our Just Giving page and social media. Knowing that we have your support and thinking of my beloved mum will hopefully give us the strength to reach that summit.  We will be updating you all on our training and holding events to promote our challenge whilst raising as much money in honour of my mum as possible for Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Thank you loads in advance, for all your support and encouragement.

Lots of Love

Charlene

xxx