Many thanks for taking the time to visit the “Kili 4Ken” JustGiving page, set up in Memory of the remarkable Ken Wells.

STOP-PRESS At 08h45 on Tuesday 27th July 2010 I reached the Summit of Kilimanjaro for Ken !!! ;o) - whilst we've made our initial target and can now buy an amazing Human Kidney Cell Incubator in Ken's name, please don't stop there & let's now see how much more we can raise for Kidney Research ;o) xx

WHY

I was privileged to have been able to call Ken my ‘Best Friend’. Ken was a wonderful Brother, Son & Husband and countless others were equally blessed to have known him and spent many happy hours in the company of a man without equal, whose worldly knowledge could never be surpassed (well almost never ! ) &  and whose humour was irrepressible.

On Sunday 12^th July 2009, Ken very sadly lost his battle with Kidney disease at , Carshalton Surrey. He was just 54. Ken spent his final weeks on Harry Secombe Ward at St.Helier,  being cared for with extreme dignity and compassion by their wonderful staff. 

WHERE

Mount Kilimanjaro has always been for me a long-held dream; at 19,340 feet high it is the highest walkable mountain on Earth & presents the biggest physical and mental challenge of my Life – 55 hours of High Altitude trekking in 6 days, oxygen levels thinning to 50% of those found at sea-level, temperatures varying from tropical to -20 C, wind speeds rising to 75mph, chronic muscle fatigue and blackened toenails endured.

WHO

In taking on this challenge, I asked Ken’s wife Auriole to choose a Charity for us all to support; she selected the “South West Thames Kidney Fund (S.W.T.K.F.)” who work to raise much needed funds to support research at South West Thames Institute for Renal Research. The unit is based at , which is at the forefront of Renal Care and Transplantation. It is one of the largest and most dynamic renal units in the South of England, helping patients learn more about their condition and also aiding with the ongoing search for a cure for renal failure.

Auriole says “Ken loved life, he loved people and they loved him. But above all he loved a challenge, from parachuting out of, or flying planes and helicopters to bungee-ing off , Ken was your man ! I think Jim’s challenge is an amazing gesture and Ken would have heartily approved.  I feel very strongly about the need for more research into chronic kidney disease and its related conditions. I know that, had he lived, Ken wanted to find ways to raise money for the fund and the unit and stimulate more awareness of this devastating illness, which affects so many people”.

WHAT

100% of all donations raised by “Kili 4Ken” will be paid over directly to the S.W.T.K.F. by JustGiving & they will also make sure, that Gift Aid is reclaimed on every single eligible donation by a taxpayer. It is the most efficient way to donate – The Trek raises more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the Charity, so please dig deep, as any amount, however small, will be most gratefully received by them.

On behalf of Auriole, myself and SWTKF, thank you so much in advance for your support.

Best wishes, Jim x