WE DID IT!!!! and I mean 'WE'  because without a fantastic team I wouldn't have made it. 5 days one night trekking, no sleep for 6 nights! (not a wink), heavy snow over the last two days but a couple of hours after dawn on the 1st February I stepped onto the summit of Kilimanjaro. Thanks for your support and special thanks to those who said I wouldn't make it! Now is the time to dig deep and help the children and families at Claire House. Thanks for your support.

In February I face the biggest challenge of my life - I am going to climb Mount Kilimanjaro - Africa's highest mountain and the highest 'free standing' mountain in the World - in order to raise money for Claire House Children's Hospice.

The challenge will involve trekking for 6 days at high altitude, covering 50-60 miles, through all of the geographical zones on earth. The trek will begin in the lush rain forests of the lower slopes, taking me through increasing amounts of vegetation, finally ending on a barren and windswept ice cap summit at 19,340 ft.

The expedition will be the most physical and mental challenge I will tackle in my life - taking me through arctic conditions with little oxygen, having to endure sub-zero temperatures of up to -20 degrees at night, and trekking in blisteringly hot temperatures, with little atmosphere to protect me from the sun's radiation during the day.

Every single penny of your donations will go to Claire House Children's Hospice - which care for children 0 - 18 years with life threatening or life limiting conditions and their families from Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and the Isle of Man. Claire House is a registered charity and relies entirely on the generosity and help of people (like you and I) in the region for all its income and running costs. They need to raise £120,000 every month to keep the doors of the hospice open and a further £2 million to build, equip and run the new teenager wing for 12 months. www.claire-house.org.uk Please dig deep and sponsor me online. Your donation will really make a difference to the children's lives. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Claire House Children's Hospice 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 me now! Many thanks for your support. Warmest wishes, John Duggan