"Human beings have been on this planet for a million years or so, and in that time we have faced all sorts of threats to our survival: famine, plague, warfare, AIDS... Rhinoceroses have been here for 40 million years and just one threat has brought them to the brink of extinction: human beings." Douglas Adams.

In 1994, my brother Douglas Adams, joined Save the Rhino on their first ever Kilimanjaro Rhino Challenge, to walk from sea level at Mombassa, to Africas highest point on the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Douglas' endearing love of deadlines, "I love the sound they make as they go whooshing past" meant that he was only able to join the team for one week, which by coincidence happened to be before the walk started going uphill. Douglas' cruel and untimely death meant that he never faced the challenge of climbing the slopes of Kilimanjaro, or achieved that overwhelming sense of achievement at reaching the 19,340 foot summit.

Now, my sister Jane and I have decided to do it for him, and join Save the Rhino on their next Kilimanjaro climb, to help raise money for the ongoing protection of these magnificent beasts, but also to help raise awareness of what we as a race are doing to so many creatures we share this planet with.

Rhinos have been around for 45 million years, and it has taken us just 30 years to decimate their numbers. The Northern White Rhino in Garamba has this year alone gone from 15 animals to the current 5, with many observers predicting the species in the wild will not last out the year. That all Northen White Rhinos may have been killed by poachers by the time we reach the summit of kilimanjaro is unforgivable. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor us: Save the Rhino International will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. So please sponsor us now, and if you know any Yemeni princes, will you please tell them that Rhino Horn Handled Daggers are seriously uncool. Many thanks for your support.