Wow - what a relief to have been able to sleep in a proper bed again! We got back to the hotel after a 3 hour walk from our camp yesterday just before lunchtime. We will be leaving to the airport in a couple of hours, we have a LONG travel day ahead of us.
If all goes as planned I will be in Johannesburg at 23h50 tonight (!!!) and my flight to Cape Town leaves at 9am. Needless to say, I am going to try and get myself booked on an earlier flight.
Sense of humour still prevails, so we'll tackle the day with a smile!
I am SO tired, I think I can easily sleep for a couple of days straight right now. This has been the most difficult thing I have EVER done in my life. I have pushed myself further than I ever thought I would, both mentally and physically and I have to say, this has been a journey of self discovery that has taken me by surprise.
When you are put in a situation where you have to search deep within yourself to achieve what we've just done, it is really surprising to discover what you are capable of!
One thing I will say, if anyone ever tells you that climbing Kilimanjaro is a walk in the park - well, don't do business with them unless they show you the certificate proving that they've actually done it!
I actually fell asleep on my feet more than once during the final part of the summit climb, I imagined rock faces closing in on me where there were actually just empty spaces - I can honestly say that this experience has taken my mind and body to heights that I never imagined I would go to!!
Thanks to Ryan for updating the blog while we were climbing! Incredible that there is Vodacom reception on spots all over the mountain!
Once I'm back in the real world I'll post details of the climb with photographs. A BIG thank you for all the wonderful wishes and messages I received, even while on the mountain, you have no idea how mush it helped to lift my spirits!
So, if you're reading this and would still love to join me in helping to get the Burns Unit at the Red Cross upgraded, now's your chance to join all of those who pledged money in support of the climb! All the instructions are further up on the blog.
THANK YOU so much for your support! :)
Raising funds for the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital - Cape Town, South Africa
In 2009 my young grandson, Tristan, suffered burns to his upper body and was treated in the phenomenal Burns Unit at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital in Cape Town. It was an extremely traumatising experience for us all and introduced us to the reality faced by so many sick children and their families who have to deal with this kind of trauma.
We are so grateful for the wonderful care and support Tristan received at the Hospital from doctors and medical staff that we decided, as a family, that it would be fitting for us to be able to give back in some way. I’ve therefore committed to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in July 2010 and will attempt to raise much needed funds for the Hospital.
100% of money I raise will be allocated directly to upgrade the Burns Unit - every cent donated to the Hospital Trust will directly benefit the Hospital.
Ultimately, the purpose of this project is to raise funds for an extremely deserving cause. I have given a personal guarantee to match the amount I must raise in sponsorships in the form of financial donations to the Trust.
I am very excited about being able to make a difference and sincerely hope you will be able to come on board with me in helping to get other sick children back home where they belong!
We are so grateful for the wonderful care and support Tristan received at the Hospital from doctors and medical staff that we decided, as a family, that it would be fitting for us to be able to give back in some way. I’ve therefore committed to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in July 2010 and will attempt to raise much needed funds for the Hospital.
100% of money I raise will be allocated directly to upgrade the Burns Unit - every cent donated to the Hospital Trust will directly benefit the Hospital.
Ultimately, the purpose of this project is to raise funds for an extremely deserving cause. I have given a personal guarantee to match the amount I must raise in sponsorships in the form of financial donations to the Trust.
I am very excited about being able to make a difference and sincerely hope you will be able to come on board with me in helping to get other sick children back home where they belong!
This is how you can get involved....
DONATE A SKILL
If you have a skill that you would like to 'donate' instead of money, this slot is for you.
I will create an event around what you have to offer and 100% of what people pay to attend will be donated to the hospital.
The hair spa day held in March at the Wayne.com salon at the One and Only Hotel is an example of such an event. We were able to raise R5250 on that day.
PLEDGES
Kilimanjaro is 5895m high. You can decide to pledge a certain amount per meter that I climb. You can email your pledges to me at: ferreira@netpoint.co.za OR you can download a pledge page from the section on the right of this page and fax it to me.
If you can't pledge yourself, how about getting your company to pledge and to perhaps even challenge other companies to match or better their pledge!!
DONATE ONLINE OR BY BANK DEPOSIT
On the right hand side of the blog, near the top, there is a section that includes a direct link to the hospital's website.
Read all the directions before clicking on the link, it is important for the hospital to be able to allocate your donation correctly.
The hospital trust will issue a tax certificate for any donation over R100, so that's an extra bonus for both individuals and companies!
AUCTION
I am currently collecting goods to offer on an auction to be held later this year - anything that we can turn into money is welcome!
Just to give you a sample of some of the things we have at this stage: three TOP NOTCH bottles of South African wines, compliments of Janet Malherbe, and five signed copies of a book written by the adventurer and master fundraiser David Grier!
For more info on David: http://www.davidgrier.co.za/
I'd love to be able to offer nights away at wonderful places in our country, romantic dinners at special restaurants etc. So if you have any connections or have something that you can offer yourself, I'd love to hear from you!
Just to make double sure you have my contact details - here it is again: ferreira@netpoint.co.za
If you have a skill that you would like to 'donate' instead of money, this slot is for you.
I will create an event around what you have to offer and 100% of what people pay to attend will be donated to the hospital.
The hair spa day held in March at the Wayne.com salon at the One and Only Hotel is an example of such an event. We were able to raise R5250 on that day.
PLEDGES
Kilimanjaro is 5895m high. You can decide to pledge a certain amount per meter that I climb. You can email your pledges to me at: ferreira@netpoint.co.za OR you can download a pledge page from the section on the right of this page and fax it to me.
If you can't pledge yourself, how about getting your company to pledge and to perhaps even challenge other companies to match or better their pledge!!
DONATE ONLINE OR BY BANK DEPOSIT
On the right hand side of the blog, near the top, there is a section that includes a direct link to the hospital's website.
Read all the directions before clicking on the link, it is important for the hospital to be able to allocate your donation correctly.
The hospital trust will issue a tax certificate for any donation over R100, so that's an extra bonus for both individuals and companies!
AUCTION
I am currently collecting goods to offer on an auction to be held later this year - anything that we can turn into money is welcome!
Just to give you a sample of some of the things we have at this stage: three TOP NOTCH bottles of South African wines, compliments of Janet Malherbe, and five signed copies of a book written by the adventurer and master fundraiser David Grier!
For more info on David: http://www.davidgrier.co.za/
I'd love to be able to offer nights away at wonderful places in our country, romantic dinners at special restaurants etc. So if you have any connections or have something that you can offer yourself, I'd love to hear from you!
Just to make double sure you have my contact details - here it is again: ferreira@netpoint.co.za
Tristan enjoying being a healthy, happy little boy!
my blog entries
Will try and update on a regular basis!! :)
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