Date Change: KILIMANJARO SUMMIT CLIMB - LEMOSHO ROUTE challenge from 19th Jan -30th Jan 2022. 

Hi, 

Jordan here... or JD as many of my friends and family know me. Here is my story...

It has been a goal of mine to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and I see no better way than to do it in memory of my sister, Carly, who I lost in a car accident on the 8th December 2019. I have decided to raise money for Grief Encounter; they provide much needed resources to children and families who have lost a parent, child or sibling. They aim to provide professional support and the services are free, funded through the generosity of their supporters. 

Carly- a daughter, a sister, a partner and a friend; everyone who knew her, found that she touched their lives in a profound way. For me, Carly was a best friend and the sister everyone wished they had. With an eight-year age gap, she was like a second mother and always a voice of reason when I needed advice. She showered the world with kindness, sincerity and compassion. Truly, it is hard to put into words who she was, she was simply- incredible! As my journey unfolds, I will share many more stories with you all.

I have discovered that grief can be a very lonely journey, my world feels strange. If I could describe it, losing a sibling is like losing a limb. For me, my family and friends have been so amazing at accepting my feelings and accepting that there is is nothing they can do about my loss. The people you can depend on will understand and have patience, without judgement. Often, all they can do is listen, make you a cup of tea, give you a hug or just hand you a tissue. 

The work Grief Encounter does is so important because for children and families, grief can be a very sad and confusing time. We still live in a culture where people are uneasy talking about grief. They avoid talking about it, they wonder when you will be 'normal' again, but you are normal and it is healthy to talk about it, cry, shout and even scream into a pillow. I have discovered that I cannot put my own experience on hold; in fact, this can be detrimental to your relationships and yourself. Sometimes, people don't know what to say and that is OK. 

My aim is to raise £7000 and I want to be clear that the first £3,364 raised will not go to Grief Encounter, but will help cover my tour costs. Once this is raised, all the rest of the donations go straight to Grief Encounter. 

This is not only for Carly, but also for those families and children who are suffering during this uncertain time. Feel the love around you, talk to someone, journal, make art, take a walk or... climb a mountain :). 

Someone wise once said to me "keep putting one foot in front of the other and you will wake up one day and be so glad that you did." This challenge for me represents so much more than the physical, it is a way for me to use my emotional pain in a positive way. 

Together, help me smash my fundraising target. I cannot wait to share my training and fundraising journey with you all.

JD x