It's been a long standing ambition of mine to climb/trek Kilimanjaro - in truth I'd love to take on the seven summits, but that may be a touch too far! So have finally decided to take this on for a start.

I've managed to self fund the trip, heading off early October, so thought it might be a great opportunity to use it to try to raise funds for a hugely worthy organisation - the Rowans Hospice - with every penny we can raise going straight to them, hopefully enough to refurbish one of their rooms.

The Rowans is an amazing local charity based in the Portsmouth area dedicated to improving the lives of people with life-limiting illnesses. With a ward of 19 en-suite bedrooms they provide 24 hour in-patient care to those who need it most. The ward is staffed by a clinical team with highly specialised skills in dealing with the physical and emotional effects a life-limiting illness. Their primary concern is to relieve pain and distress caused by complex medical conditions. As well as end of life and respite care, they also provide;

• Day Care
• Hospice at home, caring for patients in their own home 24/7
• Spiritual Care
• Bereavement Services
• The Meerkat Service, for bereaved children and teenagers
• Social Work Services
• Occupational Therapy & Physiotherapy
• Rowans Living Well Centre, supporting people at any stage of their diagnosis providing advice, support and service sign posting.

They rely on donations and fundraising for 85% of their operating costs so every penny does actually count, and anything you can give will be gratefully received.

Thanks