Hello.

Thanks for taking the time to visit Mart’s Kellymanjaro JustGiving page.

As you may know, I became a Non-Directed Altruistic Donor (NDAD) of my left Kidney last year (2025.)

The only information that I have about the recipient is from what she told me in the card she sent after the transplant; that, at 40, she had been miserably ill for 7 years. As you might imagine, I was immensely thrilled to hear that both Kelly and her new kidney are doing well.

I too, am completely recovered, with no ill after-effects. Indeed, I have been able to put my various operations since 2023 (back, knee replacement and nephrectomy) firmly behind me and work to regain full fitness.

As a sign of my success to date, and as a byproduct of that process, I have signed up to attempt the Mount Kilimanjaro Challenge in June 2027 to raise money for Kidney Research Uk.

At 19341 feet high, Kilimanjaro is a dormant volcano and the highest mountain in Africa, the 7th highest in the world.

If successful, I will reach the summit on my last day as a 74 year old.

With a reported 1 in 10 people suffering from various debilitating and often life threatening diseases of the kidneys, and with an average of 2 people dying each day, doing all that we can to end this scourge is both urgent and worthwhile.

For me, doing this Trek means months of training and focused hard work, culminating in a mountain climb with a 10+kg backpack in temperatures ranging from the high +20’s C at base to a wind chilled -20C at the summit, sleeping as best as I can in a tent - with all the comfort implications of camping at increasing altitude on the side of a mountain, and dealing with the effects of altitude sickness that I can only hope will be manageable. If it isn’t, that would likely mean an early end to my attempt.

For you to join me, it’s as difficult as contributing what you can to this Just Giving page. If you did so, it would be wonderful and I am truly grateful that you would even consider it. The thought of you and your support will be with me, every step of the way, and already spurs me on.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Please help me honour all the Kellys of this world - suffering and potentially dying, but for the dedication and skill of the countless staff at hospitals and laboratories caring for kidney patients and trying to manage and even cure these horrible conditions. The statistic of one in ten means you probably know someone who is a sufferer.

From the bottom of my heart - Thank you.

Martin

PS I have started a website with blog at:

Www.marts-Kellymanjaro-challenge.uk

Do take a look!

And pass it on!!