Alzheimer's Society has been chosen as our Corporate Charity. To raise funds for such an important charity to aid their vital work, in January 2013 I will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest free standing Mountain in the World.

At some point in each of our lives we will be touched by this disease, by knowing someone close to us, or by knowing someone else who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The figures are quite startling: Nearly one Million people are affected by the disease in the UK. One in 14 people over the age of 65, and one in six people over the age of 80 suffer from Alzheimer's. There are also 17,000 people under the age of 65 to-date who have been diagnosed.

Thanks to the great effort and dedication from charities like Alzheimer's Society more work can help with early diagnosis. Here is my inspiration to raise much needed funds for such an important charity.

Having supported many charities in my life, either through voluntary work or raising funds, this though will be the toughest challenge both physically and mentally. We will be climbing up to 12 hours a day. Altitude sickness will have to be overcome if we are to succeed, we will require not just physical strength but also have to be mentally fit. We will be facing all the extremes the weather will throw at us, ranging from temperatures of 33 degrees C to freezing conditions on the summit that could be as low as -10, or even -20 degrees C.

I am both very honoured and proud to support Alzheimer's Society on the Kilimanjaro Trek. All donations, no matter how large or small, will be gratefully received.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, I am truly very grateful for your support.

Best wishes,

John