During an absent minded scroll of LinkedIn in April 2023, I saw a post of someone who had summited Kilimanjaro, and I thought to myself "Hmm, that would be cool", with complete disregard for the fact I struggle to climb a 12-step flight of stairs without huffing and puffing like a broken locomotive.

One phone call and one hour later, I found myself booked on a 9-day trip to summit the highest freestanding mountain in the world.

*GULP*

Now, lemme be real with you.

I fugging HATE exercise.

Nearly more than I dislike camping.

And I also can't stand being around people for more than around 4 hours a day.

BUT I'm flying to Tanzania, with 28 people (who are awesome people I know from LinkedIn and mad enough to join me), to painfully trudge 5895 meters up Kilimanjaro, sleep on the floor, pee in a plastic bottle, and *gag* poop in a portaloo (or behind a rock if I'm caught short between camps).

There will be tears

There will be anxiety

There will be diva strops

I'm gonna smell

I'm gonna suffer

And I'm gonna miss my son almost as much as I'll miss hot showers

This is, quite honestly, the stupidest thing I've ever agreed to do.

But I'm doing it for Hope4. To help victims of w-a-r, trafficking, poverty and domestic violence. To feed them, clothe them, and keep them safe. To help unloved dogs, and abandoned children.

I am doing it because I want to make a difference.

And I need your help.

I will suffer for a week, to help prevent people and dogs in Moldova & Ukraine from suffering for a lifetime.

Please help me reach my target.

Please help us bring Hope4 those who need us.