It's been just over a month since the climb and I find myself really wishing I could do it all over again!
Climbing Kilimanjaro has been one of the hardest but most rewarding experiences I have ever had and the more I think about it, the more I realise that the experience has left me with so much that I will be able to take with me for the rest of my life.
Firstly, I have learnt that if you have the correct mindset, you can achieve almost anything you set out to do. At times when my body just wanted to give in, I was able to force myself to carry on by making certain decisions. At times I almost debated with myself - setting short term goals and promising myself that I will review the situation once I get to the next level.
I was also fortunate that the altitude sickness, that almost stopped me in my tracks, became less severe as the days went on (...and as the Diamox tablets kicked in!).
Secondly - I have made two incredible friends. The two girls who climbed with me added something really special. When you can laugh with someone until the tears run down your face, you know that you have a special connection. The three of us were able to do this every day and I think that is something money cannot buy!
I know that we'll remain friends for a very long time and yes, there are definitely more trips in the future somewhere! We celebrated Sandra's 50th on the mountain and we've decided that as mine is less than two years away now, we have to start planning on which mountain we're going to celebrate that one!
Yolanda's 50th is about 20 years away, so Sandra and I will probably only manage to summit a hill of sorts at that time, but I assure you we'll be laughing just as much as we did on Kilimanjaro!
Thirdly - reaching the summit with the knowledge that we were able to contribute in a small way to a really worthy cause is such a good feeling. I can highly recommend creating a fundraising effort around any adventure trip you ever tackle!
I've also discovered how much I love hiking and I've continued this activity - last week we hiked in Stellenbosch - what a lovely surprise it was to discover the deli at Tokara wine estate! We stopped there for a coffee after the mist became too thick on Simonsberg - I will be back!! The interior is very European - understated decor with a great view of the mountain and farm - lovely glass windows right around brings it all right to your table! (Coffee was great as well!)
I have received all Sandra's Kili photos, so will be posting some with more comments in the next few days.
The Red Cross Children's Hospital now have a facebook page as well - will post the link with the next blog post. The countdown has started to the start of construction of the new burns unit - end of October is around the corner...
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!! :)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
%5B1%5D.JPG)
%5B1%5D.JPG)
.JPG)
%5B1%5D.JPG)
%5B1%5D.JPG)
No comments:
Post a Comment