Update - So we made it!! You can find out all about it on my Blog:

http://benandpaulkilimanjaro2014.wordpress.com/ 

Ben’s Bit

Wow has it really been 2 years and 8 months since I came to start this page!

So why the update then, well I and my good friend Paul Bryant are attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, departing these shores on the 10^th September. Why are we doing it, well if were honest were out of stag do’s, and were at an age where all the brownie points in the world don’t get you out the country with your mates without your families following close behind J .

As most of you know I lost my first daughter Grace and in truth it’s her memory that has since pushed me into doing a few things that maybe I wouldn’t have done, most involving leaving my comfort zone. I was also feeling a bit guilty as many of our friends have done things like jumping out of planes, running great distances, cycling around the country, book sales all in Graces name and what had her Dad done, not a lot really!

This will definitely be a massive challenge, I’m not sure mine and Paul’s personalities are totally equipped for this attempt. I rarely look beyond what I need to do tomorrow and while Paul might look by the time he’s started the days usually over J . I think making Heathrow and the plane will be half the battle won!

Anyway there are many great charities large and small in this world. This one, The Brompton Fountain, is no different, it’s close to our hearts due to the effort and support they gave us during and after losing Grace. As your reading this now there will be some very ill children and their families going through some very tough times. This charity just looks at ways of helping where they can.

So whatever you can give we will greatly appreciate it. All money goes directly to The Brompton Fountain, were not using any money to support our costs.

Since this page was originally created the target has been raised on a number of occasions and £20,000 (we were at £13,000 when we started this challenge) is a hefty target but one which I would be amazing to get close too.

Pauls’ Bit

Ok my turn – So I’m taking 11 days away from my amazing family and spending close to £3k of my own money but for what? I don’t even like walking!

Simple: Ben asked me and it will truly be an honour to be doing the trek in Grace’s name.

The thought of being a newly formed families and having to cope with the emotional rollercoaster of a very sick children is something that would fill any parent with dread. From conversations I’ve had with Ben and Jo they can’t speak highly enough about how they were treated, which is testament not only to the amazing staff at the Brompton but also to Ben & Jo’s positive view on life – investing effort to help others rather than searching for someone to blame.

I know there’s a large amount of people doing a number of events for a whole raft of worthwhile charities but I can truly say that this is going to be an extreme challenge for me both physically & emotionally. So please spare what you can for a truly worthwhile Charity.

Paul

Kilimanjaro – The Trip itself

At 5,895 meters (19,340 feet) above sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and the tallest freestanding mountain in the world. It is a volcano and is classed as dormant, rather than extinct.

We are using the Lemosho Route which will involve climbing for a total of eight days, including summit day and the descent.

As far as I know (still plenty of time for research) we get little sleep, feel sick quite a lot and spend the summit attempt climbing most of the day and night!

Graces Story…

As most of you will know on the 11/11/2011 my first daughter, Grace, came into this world.  An incredible experience I will never forget even if she did take 3 days to arrive!

Tragically although she came out looking so perfect it was soon apparent all was not well, a complication with her heart (transverse of the greater arteries) meant oxygen was not circulating through her body. She was rushed from East Surrey Hospital to the Royal Brompton London in the early hours, sirens going all the way. Everyone worked so hard to save her but her little body decided she could take no more and she passed away in my arms at 13:30 that same day.

It goes without saying we were heartbroken, this was not how we ever thought it would be. In saying that, the hours we did get with her were something that we will never forget and would happily repeat, just to share that short time again.

Albeit so short her life has probably had a bigger effect than I have had in my 30+ years of existence. As mentioned significant challenges and money have been undertaken and raised in her name which is amazing.

But also following from a request I made closely after her death which I hoped her little story would triggers some positive events. The sort of examples I gave were patching up an argument with a friend, solving that family problem, contacting that person you have been putting off etc.

It was incredible that people actually took that on-board and meant Grace’s memory continued to effect people lives in a positive way. We had many stories of people making up with friends and family members all because of our little girl.

So while I have your attention beyond your donation why don’t you put yourself outside your comfort zone, do that thing you’ve been thinking about, whatever it is. Before Grace my perception on life was somewhat different, she is my reminder that life is not a dress rehearsal, if you get, or can make an opportunity, grasp it with both hands, live for today, look forward to tomorrow and remember yesterday with no regrets.

If you have made it to here, thanks for hanging in there and apologies for the ramble J

My heart still aches for losing her but I’ll always be smiling when I think of her…

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