We've joined together to raise money for charity. You'll see our team fundraising target on the right. Your donation can really help us smash this goal  

Our challenge is now COMPLETE. SEE UPDATE BELOW, along with our original team message on why we selected Momentum.                                                

Back from the top of Africa!

Despite a few wobbles along the way, our team made it to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in memory of little Thomas, covering the 8 day route in 7 days as planned. it was an amazing experience filled with all sorts of emotions. Here is a brief account of our week.

We all met in Moshi, the town close to the foot hills of Kilimanjaro, where the typical questions in the local hotels are, "did you make it to the top?" "did you take Diamox?" "how cold was it"?

There were 13 friends in our group, 3 of us climbing in memory of Thomas Roberts and to fund raise for Momentum.

During our week, we experienced most of the elements you might expect on a mountain, bitterly cold conditions, rain, snow, wind and even a hail storm, as well as a little sun. Camping at night, you tend to get less sleep than you would like especially as you have long physically demanding days, 6 hours trekking the norm although our 2nd day was about 12 hours and the summit day 17 hours. So as the week goes on you do get more tired, but on the plus side more used to the long drop loos!!

Night one 10,000 feet. Night two 13,000 feet, night five 15,000 feet, where did all the oxygen go?! Drinking 5 litres of water a day as advised by our guides to help counter the effects of altitude but with inevitable interruptions to our sleep. On upwards moving slowly to help the body acclimatise to altitude. The affects of altitude increase, head aches are common, breathlessness and on summit night, its not unusual to see people vomitting. At Uhuru peak the very top, people are being supported by guides while others are fairly emotional as they have achieved personal goals and many perhaps for loved ones.

It has to be said there were great sights, it was an amazing experience, there was lots of banter. But of course we remembered our friends Wyn and Charlotte and their dear Thomas, giving us the motivation to keep going to the top as it became tougher. We all had moments when we might have liked to turn around, but this was never an option for us, remembering we were raising funds for Momentum a charity that supports families who have had to face and live with the loss of a child,  So, on 28th September at about 7.30am we reached Uhuru Peak at 19340 feet or 5895 meters, led by our guide Jombo, luckily for us it was a beautiful sun rise with clear views. Our goal achieved, for Thomas and for Momentum.

Because all the focus all week is on the summit, you don't give much thought to getting down, but downhill for 15000 feet or a day and a half is relentless!

It certainly was a tough week, a smelly one too! It's a week without a shower, but seeing the generosity of family friends and colleagues makes it worth while, we won't be repeating this, so it really is an opportunity to support this wonderful charity Momentum, who support families facing the most unimaginable loss and heart ache. We all thank you sincerely for the donations you have made, or perhaps will now make, which will go straight to Momentum and be put to good use. We know they make a difference to people who need their support.

Wyn and Charlotte have been in touch with us before, during and after our climb to thank us. We know they have been truly touched by the generosity everyone has shown and by the fact that Thomas will be remembered forever. Thank you on behalf of Momentum.

The opportunity to donate to Momentum remains via their link for a short while.

Climb on.......

Simon, Andy & Dermot.

Our original message:

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

On the 2nd of August 2013 our friends lost their dear son Thomas after a brave battle with Cancer, Thomas was 3 months away from celebrating his 3rd birthday. 

The pain of such a loss is unimaginable for most of us. Momentum are a charity that help children and the families of children undergoing treatment for cancer by offering support, organising events and providing respite breaks. That care continues as long as the family need it. Momentum was set up by parents who have first hand experience of such heart breaking, life changing events. It is through donations to this incredibly supportive charity that they are able to offer the much needed support to those families. Momentum helped and continue to help Charlotte and Wyn through this extremely difficult time.

On the 22nd September we will set off to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the training has been hard, and no doubt reaching the summit will be too, but what will make it worthwhile will be raising funds in Thomas's name for this wonderful charity. We will think of Thomas and his family through out our trip.

Any donation will go straight to the charity moment-um.org, enabling support to continue for families experiencing similar, unimaginable challenge. 

No amount is too small. It's the thought that counts.

Many thanks,

Simon

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.