In October 2023 I am taking on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. In doing so I hope to raise money for Reverse Rett, a charity dedicated to researching Rett syndrome. 

At 19,340ft, Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest mountain and I will be tackling it with a team of 7 friends from East Lothian. The climb involves 8 nights of camping and a tough ascent, with 49% oxygen (compared to sea level). We are all hoping to avoid the dreaded altitude sickness and make it to the top!

Sarah, Jo, Penny, Alison, Catherine, Laura and I will be taking on challenges and fundraisers over the next few months to help us prepare for this epic challenge. My challenges so far include...

CHALLENGE 1: Thirty-two summits of the Law between Feb and September (the equivalent height of Kili) Currently at 39

CHALLENGE 2: Ben Lomond with my wee mountain goat Ben along with the Ruston family

CHALLENGE 3: Night summit of Mt Snowdon 6-7 May (wake at midnight to summit Snowdon in the dark, arriving at the top for sunrise). We decided once just wasn't enough and climbed Snowdon again the next day. Twice in 24hrs!

CHALLENGE 4: North Berwick Novice Triathlon 14th May

CHALLENGE 5: Ben Nevis & Schiehallion 26/27 May (trip to the highlands to climb Scotland’s highest peak and other mountains!) Scottish weather threw everything at us but we did it and loved it!!

CHALLENGE 6: Ben Vorlich with my mountain goat and Alex & Nicky 

CHALLENGE 7: Ben Chonzie with Ben & Papa

CHALLENGE 8: Walking the John Muir Way from North Berwick to Dunbar with Catherine.....26ish km, 40000 steps

CHALLENGE 9: The Cairnwell 3 munros with Ben, Bethan & Carys

Why Reverse Rett? My friend, and fellow trekker, Catherine's daughter Eliza has Rett Syndrome. She was diagnosed at the age of 3 and is now 12 years old. She was born seemingly healthy and developed normally for the first two years of her life. After over a year of tests, Catherine and family were devastated to find that Eilza has Rett Syndrome, an incurable condition which is not hereditary and can affect any family.

Eliza slowly lost the ability to talk, walk, wave, point, use her hands and communicate with her family. She then developed epilepsy and had up to 10 seizures a day before this was controlled with medication. She needs 1:1 support with everything and remains trapped in a body that does not work. 

Every year things get harder for Eliza and her family have to watch her deteriorate a little more. Reverse Rett is the only charity funding research into genetic treatments and medications which might one day help her to have a better quality of life. Gene therapy trials are starting in the UK this year!

Please donate if you can ♥️

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