Back in March last year, on a rare visit to a fish-and-chip shop, one Saturday evening, I came across an advertisement for climbing Kilimanjaro in aid of Julian House (www.julianhouse.org.uk), a charity working across Bristol, Bath, and the wider South West area, in the areas of homelessness, domestic and substance abuse, and rehabilitation and prison resettlement, to break the cycle of being without home and work, perhaps with a criminal record (50% of prisoners released, re-offend within a year – Julian House reduced this by 72% in 2017-18 for people they worked with).

Having worked with prison charities in the criminal justice sector for the last 20 years, and at my time of life, it was one of those moments where you, impulsively, think ‘no reason not to do this’, being up for a few significant risks.

Julian House works with over 1,000 people a year, aided by over 40 volunteers, providing 160 beds across the South West, and runs 5 bike shops, providing meaningful training and employment opportunities.  Far more than just an overnight hostel, which I’ve seen, it provides 24/7 hostel-type accommodation, allowing movement then on to supported living and then independent living (73% of people made this step in 2017-18).  It has increased its service provision over the last 12-18 months, requiring an uplift required in its fundraising income of £250,000, from £550k to £800k, so I want to help them, through my large network of friends and colleagues, by raising at least £3,500.

Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain in the world, at over 19,000ft and the biggest hazard, assuming physical fitness to walk the distance, is altitude sickness, which is indiscriminate, can be fatal, regardless of fitness, and kicks in over 10,000ft.  The weather, in the final ascent can also be sub-zero and snowy, which is a bit surreal in Tanzania, starting on the hot plains – like 'equator to Antarctica'.

The climb, is over 9 days, starting on 7^th February, with the middle 5 days for up and down, so walking and climbing training is well underway, along with gathering all the kit required.  Please do support me if you are able – I really want to raise a sizeable amount.