In January 2012 I decided to set myself a challenge and to tick another item off my 'before i'm 30' to do list! I'm not quite sure how climbing Kilimanjaro got on said list however it's there and now that I have started my training i'm very excited but tremendously nervous about it too. I also decided this would be the time to raise lots of money for a fantastic charity. 

Then at the end of September this year my trek became even more poignant as we lost our very dear friend Ben in a plane crash, he'd just set out on his own adventure of a life time to trek to Everest basecamp. My trek is no Everest, but it will now be in memory of Ben who lived life to the full and followed his dreams.

Build Africa works exclusively in rural areas of Uganda and Kenya and combine learning and earning opportunities which offer children and their families long-term solutions to poverty. Since 2004 they have helped 115 schools and benefited over 150,000 children. So I decided to climb Mt Kilimanjaro for them.

So, i've joined a gym, i'm doing 15 mile walks fortnightly (yes really!) and i'm going to climb Kilimanjaro on the 23rd Feb 2013 for these children. I will also be spending a couple of days, probably hobbling around, at one of the projects so I can give some of my time and report back to you on what a wonderful job this great charity really does do.

I will be climbing the Machame Route of Kili which is 5896 metres high over 7 days, 6-7hrs a day which means no showers for 6 days - yikes! And fingers crossed I don't get hit by the dreaded altitude sickness too early on.

I've funded this climb myself so every penny you give will be going straight to the charity. So please dig deep and donate now, even if you can just give 50p every penny counts. 

Thank you so so much

Catherine x