Thank you for visiting my fundraising page for the kili challenge.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: COCO gets your money faster and, if you’re a taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!

Many of you will by now know, because I might have mentioned it once or twice, that I have committed myself, some would say it’s not before time, to taking a short trek up Mount Kilimanjaro with Steve Cram MBE for charity, that’s a seven day trek by the way not a walk in the park. The following are the Who, What, Where, Why and the When details to which I would be very appreciative of your support.

Who:

I am John P Pankhurst, architectural Interior Designer and Technical Leader for MCM Architecture and the guy who makes contractors life a misery (or at least I try to) help in any way I can!!!!

At 57, I’m an ex smoker of seven years, reasonably fit - or I think I am, I enjoy good food and a beer or two!!!! and I’m a petrol head, yep the ultimate oily rag not the engine driver!!!! Although the engine driver is a very good friend of mine.

What:

Coco “Comrades of Children Overseas” is a small charity founded by Steve Cram MBE in 1998. Their aim is to relieve the suffering of disadvantaged children by breaking down the barriers to children’s education and health in developing countries by, funding projects that have a lasting impact.

Where:

Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania and is the highest point in the African Continent, it’s often referred to as the Roof of Africa, and at 5895m (19341ft) above sea level it is the world’s highest standalone mountain. 

Why:

Because, it needs to be done!!!! Life for me, as many others, is a challenge, my philosophy has been “the more you put into something the more you will get out of it.”

I was actually born about 300 miles south of Kilimanjaro in Morogoro, walked the foot hills of Kili as a seven year old and broke one of my front teeth on a slippery path. Now I would like to do the job properly, get to the top and help others less fortunate than ourselves in the process.

When:

We set off from Heathrow at 6.00 am on Friday 30^th October and return on Tuesday 10^th November. If you would like a copy of the full itinerary please let me know.

Training:

I have read in several places that this is a trek not a race and that we should take our time. A modicum of fitness is required to reach the summit. I’ve started on my modicum, one hour sessions on the rowing machine, walking from station to the office every day, climbing the stairs to the site office on the seventh floor once a day, more if and when I can manage it. Then my three son’s and I are climbing Snowdon on 16^th May at 1085m asl, six to eight weeks later we climb Scafell Pike at 978m asl followed again six to eight weeks later with Ben Nevis at 1344m asl. As you can see I am not treating this lightly, it’s all about stamina not speed, bit like old age I hear some say!!!!!!

Sponsorship:

Sponsorship for this trek is the all important issue and your support would be gratefully appreciated in assisting me achieve my quest to stand on the Roof of Africa and in the process help many children less fortunate than our own.

I have set up this Justgiving internet account as an alternative if you’re not into all this technology stuff simply send an e-mail or letter with your sponsorship proposals and a cheque (made payable to John Pankhurst) to 5 Brodie Road, Enfield, Middlesex, EN2 0BZ I will do the rest. 

If there is a prospect of corporate sponsorship please call or email me as I have an idea that may be worth considering.

Thank You

In anticipation of your support from CoCo and myself, my contact details are below should you wish to discuss, collapse in a heap of laughter or just generally take the Michael!Johnp.pankhurst@btinternet.com  Mobile: 07885 562630