Christopher's epic expedition up Kilimanjaro September 2022!!

In April 2019, along with a great friend Victor, I took what some might say the illogical decision to do the epic Kilimanjaro challenge, originally scheduled for June 2020, postponed due to the pandemic and now reality has begun to dawn with it taking place this September. The aim is to summit of Kilimanjaro (5,995m) on Africa’s highest mountain via the longest route the Northern Circuit, giving time to acclimatise to the altitude. I’m really hoping to raise as much money as possible for Cancer Research. This adventure has been made even more meaningful as my incredible wife, Tara, was diagnosed with Cancer in December 2019. She has now valiantly beaten the disease. Her courage and stoic attitude has been an inspiration and will encourage me every step of my adventure. The probability is that 1 in 2 people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime, but little did I know it would have such a profound personal influence on our family in 2020. So with Cancer Research, not only are we helping those courageously battling now, we are investing in our own future for cures. Many of us have faced the devastation of this brutal disease with our loved ones, friends and personally. I want to take on a challenge that will test me to the limits but nothing in comparison to the battle Tara overcame in the last 24 months. Recently my family have witnessed the effects of this abhorrent disease up close, my mother successfully combating Breast Cancer ten years ago but oppositely sadly my mother in law passed a few years ago after a brave fight. I was also inspired to take on a challenge in recognition of my courageous god-son, Freddie, who has bravely overcome numerous open heart surgeries since he was born and 18 years later has just recovered from the most serious of those. It was during this operation that I persuaded his father (Victor) to join me on this challenge, (he’s raising for the British Heart Foundation). Albeit the charities are not linked, friendship links us, sadly cancer has also reared its ugly presence and been beaten by their family. You will also no doubt look at me and think that a trip of this physical nature is not in keeping with my fitness, you are absolutely right so another part of this challenge is to get myself fitter than I have been in probably the last 20 years! This I start again in earnest now! I would like to raise as much as possible for Cancer Research. I would be SO SO grateful if you could sponsor me, it really will push me up these mountains so please dig deep!! Thank you.