Thank you.....

August was a long time ago. What a journey was started by that little pop up advert in my inbox.  "Climb Kilimanjaro"...go on..you know you want to!!  Well I do want to, and in less than 48hours from now I will begin the final journey towards that goal.

On the way, I have been helped in so many ways by first family, and friends...by colleagues, and ex colleagues and by the generous spirit that is alive all around us, waiting to be tapped into.  Fundraising of any sort is a balance...how often can I ask? 

How much should I ask for?   Well, I needn't have worried!!

I was determined that the full cost of this adventure would be paid, without penalty or cost to my charity, or to the many people who have so kindly dipped into their pockets and who have made that decision to hand over their gift....and it is a gift.   I am delighted to confirm that 100% of the costs to take part in this adventure have been paid, not in personal donations, but by myself, or with the help of some corporate donations from friends at the Royal Mail, who through a matched funding scheme donated £200, and from local businesses Heavyweight Air Express, and Logistics solution provider Catalyst Logistics.

For the children, and young adults in Northamptonshire who are helped by the work of my chosen charity, Autism Concern...each £ that you have donated represents a chance.  A chance to be themselves, to enjoy security, support, and understanding in a world where chaos and conflict, confusion, and misunderstanding are common.  Together, you have helped to raise over £4000 in personal donations, or gifts.  Thank you!!

Children with autism require patience...patience, and understanding, a bit like Kilimanjaro... to borrow a quote from William Shakespeare "to climb steep hills, requires a slow pace at first" 

Six months preparation, and training ends tomorrow... a final rush round, maybe the odd moment of panic, but the bag is now packed, and I'm ready.

For Kilimanjaro, and for me, the wait is over!  On Friday, after a long flight we will greet each other, and in the early hours of February 25th I hope she will allow me to  stand on Africa's highest point, and to say a small thank you for her kindness, and a huge thank you for yours!!

This blog is over....I hope that you have enjoyed sharing the first part of my journey. A journey which has allowed me to enjoy some of the UK's most wonderful countryside,  where I have stood atop of Wales' highest mountain, in all weathers, 3 times.  I have enjoyed the Malverns, more local to me, but nonetheless just as beautiful, and a journey where I was smiled upon at Ben Nevis, the UK's highest point, on an October afternoon, which thought it was July, and high summer.

A journey that has introduced me to some inspirational new friends, and where our community has come together to enjoy great evenings of fun, and entertainment to help with my fundraising.  Where fate has allowed me to take on this trip with one of those new friends. 

Coincedence has thrown a curve ball, and we have caught it.  In a village of our size, who would have thought that two hithertoo strangers would be choosing the same goal....and how wonderful fate is that should allow us to enjoy it together? 

When I return, I will no doubt have tales to tell....but Kilimanjaro will no longer be waiting....

Thank you.  Thank you for your kind thoughts...for the encouragement, and compliments you have paid.  Thank you for the support you have offered, and for the donations you have made.

Graham :-) x

 

Kickstart to Kilimanjaro....

And so on Saturday 5th February, we had the most fantastic evening, with friends and family at our local Social Club. 

Sam has made a huge impression on many people in our village, but none more so that Iain Osborne who helped us by arranging a charity event like no other. Local Northamptonshire band, Kickstart gave up an evening to come along and entertain us with many old favourites from my teens.

Kids moved between sliding on the dance floor, to sliding a ball up the virtual ten-pin alley on an array of Wii games that Iain had set up to keep them entertained. Every attempt to help out, was answered with a cheery, "nope, don't worry, I have everything under control" and he certainly did.

The last big fundraiser before I go on my journey up Kilimanjaro was a huge success, with £561 raised for Autism Concern. The club gave us the hall for free, the band, who were fabulous, not only kept us well entertained for free, but also donated £100 towards my fundraising.

Every now and then the need for clever comment, humour, and witty innuendo is not required in a blog. This time, all I have to say is a huge thank you to everyone who came and enjoyed the evening, to the kids who helped with the raffle draw, and to the many volunteers who jumped in to sell raffle tickets, work the door, or just got on the dance floor and made the evening so memorable.

Most of all... with just 10 more sleeps until I leave for Kilimanjaro, I want to thank Iain.... with friends like these, you can climb mountains they say? We'll see.... Kilimanjaro Waits......

www.justgiving.com/graham-kennedy1

Boys Toys....it's just 14 more days!!

There are those suspicious folk out there who would have you believe that this whole Kilimanjaro expedition is an extravegent excuse to treat myself to a few gadgets...well...they're wrong, of course...but I have enjoyed hunting down a few small treats for myself. 

And there are so many to choose from, wow if Mr Lottery was kinder to me there is a host of little helpers out there...little being the most important thing to consider here...we have a maximum allowance of just 15kgs on the mountain so travelling light is most definitely the order of the day!!  (Of course, I can't imagine anyone wanting to carry anything more than that up 19,340 ft in minus 20 degrees). 

So, let me introduce you to my entertainment, some old, some new that I will have with me on this trip....

First up, we have my new watch...the Timex Expedition...it actually tells the time too..and unlike my other gadgets this little fella is actually, not very little...but hey, it will be on my wrist, and I figure that doesn't count as luggage.   I'm now perfectly able to tell the time at heights up to 27,000ft...or of course if the worst happens and I tumble into the volcano, then I'm still good at -330ft in a pool of water, in the DARK!!   I've always been a bit of a watch freak,  and I'm really pleased with this housebrick of a watch, and it's been a while since I had a good one on my wrist. 

Next up I have this little beauty.  

Mr Multi-functionality....so I will know exactly where we are in our journey towards the Uhuru peak.   Want to know how high up you are, in feet, or meters....your direction of travel, and the temperature your doing it in?  This is your baby....and all for just a few pennies. 

Actually, I guess there is an argument that says if you look at the machine and discover that you're heading South, when you should be heading North, and you have still got 4,800 feet to go...oh, and by the way, it's minus 20 outside??  It may not be good news...but....I like to be informed, so I'm delighted with this little gadget.

Of course, I will be taking my phone....there may be a signal that will allow the odd update on the way?  I'll have my iPod to keep me entertained when talking is impossible without collapsing from exhaustion.  Flip it onto shuffle, and enjoy almost 12 days of continuous music, with just the occasional interlude when I can teach myself Italian.....always handy in a foreign country to know a foreign language.....didn't the Italians occupy Kenya once upon a time?

and finally, I have my most treasured gadget of them all...a lifesaver of enormous proportions, this little baby is the key to my sanity I feel....and it's good for the environment.  I can't afford them on the house roof, but whilst we're living in tents, I have the power to maintain the link to my music.  Who would have thought, so much power out of just 6 inches??  (Thought I would put a line in for all you fans of a good double entendre) 

All I need now is a few moments in the sun each day....but hey, it is Africa.  They have loads of it don't they??

It's just 14 days til the off...excited?  Just a little!!

I hope that you have enjoyed my preparation over the last few months, and if you've enjoyed my blog, then a little comment of encouragement would be fantastic....if you've LOVED my blog, then of course you can also leave a small donation in my fund raising pot.  www.justgiving.com/graham-kennedy1

And, if you've been checking every day to see if I've put another update on, and you simply look forward to reading this stuff more than breakfast, dinner & tea...then please leave an enormous donation!!

checking out for tonight now.... thanks everyone.... Kilimanjaro waits....