I fly to Africa on the 6th August for my attempt to summit Africa's highest mountain and one of the world's most iconic peaks standing at 5,895 meters. Mount Kilimanjaro is going to be a holiday of a lifetime, extremely challenging and makes me think I have gone a little crazy! 

So the reason behind this trip is completely down to peer pressure. A couple of years ago I started this hobby not knowing what to expect. I enjoyed walking the dogs with my boyfriend around the forest or the lakes, nothing ever extreme just a casual few hours at the weekend. Our friends were going on a walking holiday to Scotland and invited us to go along with the dogs. We couldn't turn the holiday down as we hardly see them due to their work commitments. We went along to what we thought would be a chilled week away in Scotland with our best friends, turns out we were 'Murno Bagging'. 7 Munro's in the first holiday was very difficult however I was not only impressed that I had been able to achieve what I thought was the impossible but I was hooked. I loved being out the fresh air with my boyfriend, two dogs and our best friends.

We have now been on three trips to Scotland taking our count of Munro's to 13 including Ben Nevis and the Inaccessible Pinnacle. I've also climbed Snowdon numerous times, Scarfell Pike and a few other peaks in our beautiful country. Yes, hiking is physically demanding but it is so rewarding. We get to see such natural beauty which you wouldn't believe is on the door step. Just in Scotland alone; I've seen hidden loch's tucked away half way up a mountain, eagles circling and catching prey near the summit of Ben Nevis and seals playing in the open sea off the shore of Skye. Hopefully the sights in Kilimanjaro will also make the pain worthwhile.

Right moving onto this trip to Africa, I am getting extremely nervous. the holiday is getting closer and closer and I am now starting to feel like I should have carried on saying 'No' to this silly idea. So after a full day of hiking on Ben Nevis, we arrived back at the car after 9 hours, our friends brought up their idea of climbing Kilimanjaro. Straight away I thought this was not only a daft idea but also life threatening. I was fully aware that the summit of Kilimanjaro was well above the level of extreme altitude sickness. Holidays were for relaxing, right? Cut a long story short, after weeks of them talking about it and sending my blogs to read, I agreed. In September 2016 we booked the trip for August 2017. Peer pressure works wonders! The only specification I had was after the week's long hike, we were to go on safari in Tanzania or fly to Zanzibar for a relaxing break afterward. One slight issue was they was fit and more than capable enough to summit Kilimanjaro, I didn't even own a gym membership. A quick fast forward to now, all my equipment has been bought, I try go to the gym or do cardio 5 days a week and my nerves are sky high. I am ready as I'll ever be.  

Why Alder Hey? I chose Alder Hey for one reason, basically I didn't know what other charity to choose. I thought seeing as I was going to summit Kilimanjaro, I might as well raise money for a good cause at the same time. Having some charity rely on my fundraising would maybe help me put one foot in front of the other when I am there struggling, aching and wanting to go home. I don't have any particular charity close to my heart so didn't really know where to start. This is where my silly mind comes into play. I visited Alder Hey as a 6 month old baby, but that wasn't the main reason I chose the children's charity. I very simply chose Alder Hey in case I become a parent and my baby needs it. I am not a parent and don't plan to have any children any time soon however I know if I was to become a mum, and God forbid it, but my child was ill, I would be ever so grateful for a place like Alder Hey. It truly is a special place. I've seen first hand through friends and family what magical, incredible work goes on at the hospital and I wanted to be part of keeping the charity going. 

So that's it, my story. A lass climbing one of the world's highest peaks to raise money for a charity in case our next generation needs the help they provide. Thank you so much for reading this and donating, I am extremely grateful! Any words of wisdom or hints and tips will be appreciated. Love you all...'xoxo