Tom and I were supposed to climb Kilimanjaro in June 2020, but Covid-19 hit and this is the earliest we've been able to come back to unfinished business.

We've taken on challenges every year since 2015 to raise awareness of blood cancer and raise funds for Blood Cancer Uk to enable research to find the cures to beat Blood Cancer.

Paul was diagnosed with leukaemia at Christmas 2013 and lives with it on a daily basis. He decided to become part of the BCUK family after meeting the original Calendar Girls who encouraged him to get involved. He did so and is a Patient Ambassador for the charity. Tom has been his best friend by his side ever since and has his own connections to blood cancer.

The Calendar Girls story was made into a film and more recently a musical by Tim Firth and Gary Barlow. A key song in the musical is called 'Kilimanjaro' which became the inspiration for our latest challenge.

If you can find a way to help to beat the 5th most common cancer and the 3rd biggest cancer killer, please do if you can.

We're a community dedicated to beating blood cancer. We do this by funding research and supporting those affected. Since 1960, we've invested over £500 million in blood cancer research, transforming treatments and saving lives. Right now, our community is funding 360 researchers and staff across the UK who are searching for the next breakthrough. The day we will beat blood cancer is now in sight and the researchers are determined to finish the job.