I made it to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro !! The ascent route was 12 hours of torture but the 12 day trip was an adventure which will remain with me all my life. The reason for the madness - Three years ago I underwent a spinal fusion back operation having suffered a fractured spine. The road to recovery has been a long and frustrating, but it has given me back a quality of life and a return to my love of sport. As a way of appreciating the work carried out by my surgeon, I set myself a challenge to return to fitness, and one that I couldn't have achieved prior to the operation. On 13th July 2011, I set off to climb Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania in aid of Help 4 Heroes, a charity which supports members of the Armed Forces who have been wounded in the service of their country.

During my recovery, I shared physio sessions with two ex soldiers who had returned from Afghanistan as amputees. Getting used to life with one leg would be devastating to you and I, but these committed and focused individuals not only made me laugh, but inspired me. My prosthetic back has been neatly stitched and is not visible, but these soldiers have to adapt to a new way of life without limbs. Last year, 6 of them climbed Mt Kilimanjaro (4 with one leg, 1 with one arm, and 1 who had been blinded). They were my inspiration to face this challenge head on, and raise as much money as possible, to provide for the rehabilitation that they need and deserve.

Mt Kilimanjaro (White Mountain) is the tallest freestanding mountain rise in the world (4,600 meters) from its base and 5,895 meters above sea level. 25,000 people attempt to climb to its summit every year - a 12 day challenge in total. The fundraising journey so far has been AMAZING and I have met some wonderful people who I will remember for a very long time.

Help for Heroes has made me personally very proud to be British." I know that times are hard but any small amount goes a long way to surpass my current target of £15K. I self funded my part of the trip, so that every £1 goes straight to the charity.
Some Companies have already been extremely generous in their support and I would like to acknowlege: Starbucks Wisley, Little Nellies Henley on Thames, The Ivy, Sonning, The Courtyard, Wokingham, The Game Larder, Claygate, The Warren, Wokingham, Loddon Breweries and of course my family and friends who have been fantastic. A special thanks to my eldest niece Chiara (8 years of age), who has thrown herself into the fundraising effort and for whom I am very proud. There are many more who have donated prizes so generously, so thank you.

Thank you in advance for reading this. Sally x

Check out old webpage www.bmycharity.com/sallymarchingtomachupicchu2012

and my new webpage www.bmycharity.com/sallyhelpingheroes

Check it out for the new challenge to come !!

Donating through this page is simple, quick and secure. It is the most efficient way to give – so every donation goes further – and if you are a UK taxpayer and give Gift Aid consent the charity will receive an extra 28% at no cost to you.

Thank you for your support.