Hello!

I have undertaken a 10-day trek challenge to climb the highest peak in Africa- Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise money for VSO's Regional Aids Initiative for Southern Africa (RAISA). This is going to be quite a challenge for me both physically and to raise money for the charity. 

I really need your help to succeed. My goal is to raise £3000 (~$5900 USD). Anything I don't raise comes out of my pocket. Please remember that I am covering the cost of my trip (airfare, equipment, visa, etc), so every penny you donate goes directly to the charity. Your generosity and support will be the motivation for me to train for the trek. Some of you have called me crazy to undertake a challenge that is physically demanding and know how hard I need to train to be ready for this trek :-).   

A little about the charity -
VSO is an international development charity that works in over 30 of the world's poorest countries. VSO finds experienced professionals to live and work with communities to make lasting change to quality of life. One of the projects that VSO RAISA's program support is Lea Toto (meaning "to raise a child" in Swahili). This is a children's home for HIV positive abandoned orphans. (You can read about Lea Toto on the website). VSO's RAISA program is involved in several programs like this to help the HIV infected. Please remember the money you donate goes directly to the charity and in making a difference where it’s really needed.  

So, PLEASE dig deep and sponsor me online.  The trek is in July 2007 and the deadline to raise money is April 30^th.  

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Voluntary Service Overseas will receive your money faster. This website is in British Pounds. For currency conversion, please visit www.xe.com.  

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support and I will keep you updated on my training progress.

 -Mary