Well, it’s not long now until our first team of climbers set off to take on the infamous Mount Kilimanjaro. Rising 19,340ft above sea level, Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and the world’s highest free-standing mountain, so this is no walk in the park (even if Chris Moyles managed it!).
The team of 10 climbers are coming from all over the world, with three heading over from US, one from French Canada, one from Australia and five from the UK.
In true Child’s i Foundation style, the climb will be as interactive as it possibly can. The team are heading out armed with – as team leader, Kevin, calls it – a ‘gadgety, whizzy thing’ donated by Vodafone. From 1st August, you will be able to follow all of their updates live from the mountain, with interactive maps, photos and video clips on the child’s i klimb facebook page or twitter @childsiklimb.
If you would like to support our team of climbers, please visit their team Just Giving page at:
www.justgiving.com/childsiklimb
I caught up with team leader Kevin O’Brien (UK) and climbers Leanne Troop (UK) and Shelby Soares (USA) to see how they are getting on with their preparations:
How are you feeling about the up and coming challenge?
Kevin: In a word, excited. In two shit scared.
Leanne: I’m not really sure yet – one day I’m excited, the next nervous. I’m sure once I get to the babies home before the climb and can see what I’m doing it all for then any nerves I do have will fade away and turn into sheer determination!
Shelby: I am very excited!!!…and extremely anxious for the whole experience!!
How have you been preparing for it?
K: Always taking the stairs whenever they’re an option. Apart from at Covent Garden tube, thats just stupid.
I’m a big believer in the power of the mind so I have been visualising myself training really hard which I found a lot easier than actually doing it.
L: I’ve been training at the gym, cycling and walking to work and next weekend will climb up Scafell Pike in the Lake District to break my boots in! I’ve still got so much to do which is worrying like sorting my kit out…
Leanne gets the best of the British weather on Scafell Pike
S: I have been hitting the gym, especially the stair climber…and Rebecca, Dany, Dave and myself climbed Mt. Washington (the highest mountain in New England) for a little practice!
What are you looking forward to most?
K: Getting to the top of course, I won’t be happy till I’ve made it. The great thing about the Child’s i Klimb is that winning isn’t everything, but personally failure is not an option.
L: I’m looking forward to meeting the other climbers first of all. Reaching the top in one piece and then the nice cold beer I’ll enjoy at the bottom! I’m really excited about seeing the babies who’s lives we’re all helping.
S: Making it to the top!
How have you been fundraising?
K: Hassling friends and family always works, but dont just ask for their money – keep them in the picture with what your doing, let them feel part of it, they can always choose not to read your updates if they’re not interested!
On top of that I’ve done a boot sale, run around Greenwhich park in just a pair of y-fronts and am currently working on the offical Child’s i Klimb website…watch this space!
I wonder if we paid Kevin enough if he'd climb in this outfit!?!?
L: It’s been far more difficult than imagined! I’ve organised a work pub quiz, I’m now a regular at the car boot sales – this Sat being my 4th one, have put on a dance night in Brixton and have asked almost every company possible to donate prizes to raffle off.
A good old car booty
S: I did a few things. I held a bar charity night ($10 entry fee with open bar for 2 hours), Eastern Mountain Sports let me set up a table on one of their busiest weekends, I also did a sports squares pool for a Boston Celtics vs Miami Heat basketball game (raised $250, two winners got $125 each) and my most successful was selling raffle tickets for $20 each for a 7 day 7 night resort in the Berkshires!
If you are inspired by our amazing climb team and want to find out how you can get involved with fundraising for Child’s i please email: Perle@childsifoundation.org.
