Thank you for visiting my fundraising page.   Thanks to all those who attended my Pink Party and have bought my festive baking.  The Quiz Night was a great Success and we raised over £300.

A few of you think I've gone mad wanting to do such an extreme climb those who know me a little better already know I am mad!! Undertaking this challenge is both a personal goal of mine as well as the cause being very close to my heart.

Without going into too much personal detail life over the past few years has been busy, exciting and challenging but when someone touches your heart with their courage, strength and determination it makes you re-evaluate what is really important in life.  Having the opportunity to work alongside and teach these unique people has been inspirational.  One of these people are sadly no longer with us but is in my thoughts every single day alongside the image of her radiant smile and sweet voice singing, 'Always look on the bright side of Life'.  The other is powering on after getting the all clear and is showing us all up with her energy and love of life.

It was a rare opportunity for me to be able to go back to the school that I attended as a child and teach as the Deputy Head Teacher for three years, working with exceptional staff who pulled together as a team throughout all the challenges we faced.  The prospect of the school closing and the staff being split-up was daunting but it made me very proud as well as emotional to be in charge of the school for the last three months before it closed.  Managing staff who had taught me as a child, the very ones who had inspired me to go into teaching in the first place felt strange but also a huge honour that I was presented with such an opportunity.  It then just seemed the right time to apprectiate what I have achieved and to take a one year sabbatical to undertake some amazing and exciting opportunities and for that I thank East Lothian Council.

I'm sure that if your immediate family has not been touched by Breast Cancer then someone you know will have been but together we can do something about this.  Please dig deep and sponsor me online. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Breast Cancer Campaign 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.

A big thank you to my training partner Steve who has the most difficult job of keeping me motivated through the Christmas Holidays!

I look forward to reading all your comments!

Many thanks for your support from the bottom of my heart.

Candy x

Kilimanjaro  - Facts & Figures

At 5,895m, Mt. Kilimanjaro is one of the largest volcanoes ever to break through the Earth's crust.  My challenge is to reach its summit!!!

Day 1 - Rainforest Trek (2,800m)

Day 2 - Acclimatisation Trek (3,500m)

Day 3 - Shira Plateau (3,800m)

Day 4 - Southern Flank (3,900m)

Day 5 - Barranco Wall & the Karanga Valley (3,900m)

Day 6 - Barafu Ridge (4,600m)

Day 7 - Summit Day (5,895m)

Day 8 - Descend to Mweka Gate

I'm back home safe and sound although I still have the dreaded chest infection!!  The trip was amazing as well as the most difficult thing I've done both mentally and physically.  I wasn't that well when I was away so this meant us leaving for the summit 8hrs earlier than we were meant to as the doctor had advised I wouldn't make it otherwise as my chest wouldn't be able to cope with the severe cold.  I was quite happy to do this on my own but my group wouldn't let me so we all went together - one big happy family!!  This resulted in us getting to the summit for 11.30pm so it was very dark and we didn't get a great view of the ice fields but maybe next time!!  After taking 8 to get up, it only took 4 to get back so we were able to have a few hours sleep before heading to the gate.  This was a long way down and everyone had sore feet, knees and hips from the steepness of the descent.  The one good thing was that we got to go to the lodge a night early and have a shower!

Thanks to all my team mates who made the trip and encouraged each other from beginning to end.