Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page. Laura and I are very excited to have the opportunity to not only fulfill one of our lifetime dreams in testing ourselves by climbing a huge mountain but most importantly to be able to raise money for a charity close to our hearts. Having had both family and friends serving in the various services over the years, it is important to us that we can show our support for a very worthy cause. Particularly in this year - 100 years since the start of the Great War - a war that was called a war to end all wars but was anything but, it is a time to remember and support all the brave people that currently still put themselves in harm's way for their country and who through life-changing injury have earned life-long support.  

UPDATE March 2015:- So it's one down and one to go!  I am pleased to report that I successfully summitted on February 19, 2015. The Kili Trek was absolutely amazing. The best of times and the worst of times but through all of the emotional rollercoaster, beautiful views, amazing scenery and exhaustion, my new found friends and trekking buddies and great memories will remain with me. Go Lau, go!! Solo summit photo and H4H Trekking Group 2015 attached in the gallery.

UPDATE November 2014:- Due to a major life event on my sister’s part (the birth of her son), Laura will now actually be climbing with the H4H Team in 2016. However, due the commitment we have shown in fundraising so far and by self-funding our own trips, H4H have said Laura can postpone her climb to 2016. 

So what is it all about I hear you ask? The ultimate goal is to be part of the Kilimanjaro H4H Trek Team due to climb Kilimanjaro in February 2015 (12th-22nd February). The highest free standing mountain in the world rising high above the dusty plains of Africa to 5896m. This will be an extreme challenge for which we will need to train hard. Apart from regular hill walking (starting with the Stiperstones and Church Stretton walks), we have already planned 2 trips to Ben Nevis, including one wilderness adventure in March with ice picks and crampons (we survived and have added some of the photos to the Gallery section on this page).

The photos are of us at the Summit of Ben Nevis having climbed up the North Face and show Laura, myself and our friend Emma. We didn’t hang around too long on account of the gales blowing freezing snow into our face! Also attached, a photo taken a little below the Summit with us doing some advertising for our local outdoor gear shop. If you follow the link – one of our Guides posted a description of our Wilderness Weekend with some pretty good photos. Shows us practicing with the ice axe etc. lower down the mountain on the Saturday ahead of our climb to the Summit on Sunday:-(https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.656900514357671.1073741846.509785849069139&type=3)! More adventures to follow.

Given the amount of commitment required in training alongside full-time jobs and fundraising events (bucket collections, cake sales, music events, car boot sales) we appreciate any and all support from family, friends and interested parties. The way challenges work is that we had to pay an initial registration deposit online (£399 each) to secure our place on the Kilimanjaro Challenge climb and then commit to raise a minimum amount of sponsorship for Help for Heroes. The charity usually pays for the balance of the cost of the trip from the fundraising money (£2,100 per person) - however,  I have self-funded these costs through a bank loan and Laura is paying in monthly installments through money earned by weekend overtime so that all of the money we raise through collections and events goes direct to the charity. 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.