Hi, My name is Deben and I am trekking to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro in October 2024 to fundraise for my local Parkinson's and Respiratory Services at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust.

Sadly, my father, Lee, passed away in November 2023. He had suffered with Parkinson's for several years. It was heart-breaking watching a man who had lived an amazing life full of adventure, magic, love and passion, slowly declining physically and mentally. He retreated from the many activities and relationships he once cherished. He, and our whole family, went through a roller-coaster journey learning to live with a degenerative neurological condition. Much of the time was filled with confusion, sadness, anxiety, and sometimes desperation. However, with support of those around us including his local Parkinson's Services, we found a way to drive on through the uncertainty and find moments of understanding, hope, love, and joy. To honour the adventurous nature my father instilled in me, I would like to challenge myself both physically and mentally, while I am lucky enough to be able to do so, to support others who may be starting on their own difficult journey with Parkinson's disease.

I am also raising funds for my local Respiratory Services, an area I am passionate about having worked in the field for 18 years. Most of us go through the majority of our day without even thinking about breathing. However, for some people, normal activities like simply getting dressed or going to work are a daily reminder that they are living with a chronic lung condition. It has been an honour and a privilege to meet the many people who struggle with the challenges of breathlessness and other respiratory problems everyday. So now, I challenge myself to reach great heights, and hopefully a breathless summit, to support a service that helps others breathe.

I have joined a 10 day expedition, 4th-13th October 2024, spending 7 days climbing the highest freestanding mountain in the world. Mt Kilimanjaro is also the highest mountain on the African continent at 5895m. This will be a challenging trek, walking 90km through unforgiving terrain such as dense rainforest, high moorland, rocky ravines, steep scree slopes, and the chilling demands of high altitude, pushing my limits both physically and mentally. My reward will be to see: its snow-capped summit rise high above the dusty African plains; huge permanent glaciers flowing down from the summit, spectacular views and beautiful ice formations; and to know I have done it for a cause close to my heart.

Please help me support these two very valuable services with a donation to this fundraiser. Proceeds will go direct to the University Hospitals Dorset Charity and shared equally to my chosen services. The UHD Parkinson's service would like to use their share of funds raised towards developing a working age Parkinson's group.

Find me on Facebook for more updates and activities: https://www.facebook.com/deben.harris