I haven't always climbed ...

I used to consider going for a cigarette from the top floor of my office to be a mountain expedition!! Until, one night from the comfort of my armchair, I watched Kilimanjaro on TV and decided 'I quite fancy that'!  Having never climbed a hill and barely even looked at a mountain, that seemed a pipedream.  Yet here I am, only a few weeks from attempting to make it a reality.

At 5,895m (19,340 ft), Mount Kilimanjaro is high! Infact, its the highest freestanding mountain in the world!

For most of my time on the mountain, I will be at risk of altitude sickness.  Described by someone as the worst hangover ever, its not something I'm relishing.  Normally I don't leave the couch if I'm hungover nevermind climb a few hundred meters while gasping for air! 

Another fear I have is the cold.  Temperatures could be as low as minus 20 according to the guidebooks and I'm camping!  

So after 6 days of feeling ill, having no appetite and probably several sleepless nights, I have to crawl out of my (hopefully) warm sleeping bag, unzip my frost covered tent and embark on the hardest physical challenge of my life.  Over 1000m of ascent (normally a piece of cake!), in the dark, in the cold and at a snails pace.  Altitude will make every step hard and the next one harder until, if I'm lucky, I reach the summit.  

It seems wrong to do this all for my own enjoyment/suffering, therefore I will be raising money for Anthony Nolan.

Anthony Nolan saves the lives of people with blood cancer and other blood disorders.  If your not familiar with their work you can find out more by clicking on the charitys' logo opposite.

Anthony Nolans' work helps 3 people each day  find a lifesaving match.  

It not only changes lives, it gives life.

We all experience life changing moments of different magnitudes. 

Help to give someone theirs.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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.

You can also donate by text.  Text GMCF81 and your amount e.g. GMCF81 £10 to 70070.