Charity
Railway Children fight for vulnerable children who live alone at risk on the streets, where they suffer abuse and exploitation.
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This page is in the network 'TRAIN TO KILI'
Other fundraisers in this network:
DAVID AND JO FRANKSHelp me to help the Railway Children
Hi. Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.
The Railway Children makes contact with runaway and abandoned children as they arrive at railway stations, when they are most at risk from adult exploitation. By joining with other street children projects, it provides the children with protection and support through counselling, education, healthcare, shelter and friendship.
In October 2010, I attempted to reach the summit of the world's highest freestanding mountain and raise £5,000 for the Railway Children. At 19,341 ft above sea level, Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the largest volcanoes ever to break through the Earth's crust. The trek started in the rainforests of Lemosho Glades, headed upwards on Shira Plateau, then via the Southern Flank, Barranco Wall and Barafu Route before the day of the final 3,000ft ascent (and 6,000ft decent).
After six days on the mountain and six nights in tents, we began the final ascent at around midnight. I soon started to succumb to the effects of acute mountain sickness (AMS). My legs became jelly-like and difficult to control. I drove on and eventually made it to the top of the climb at Stella Point - only 300ft from the actual summit - but then had to descend for medical reasons. However, I was one of only two of the Railway Children team of 26 that failed to get to the summit at Uhuru Peak – the team raising around £200k in total.
I have loaded some of the photographs taken on the trek, together with some showing why we went in the first place, to a YouTube video at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtRqOW_Di4g
Many thanks to all those who have sponsored me to date. It’s not too late to add a little more - this fundraising page will be open until the end of the year.
James
Recent donors
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Angela and David Maloney £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 14.11.10 Congratulations, a great achievement. Two nephews of ours climbed Kilimanjaro on a similar quest last year so I know how hard a task it is. Best wishes Angela and David Maloney. |
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David O'Reilly £100.00 30.10.10 Well done James. Are thiose bicycle clips aroud the tops of your boots? |
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Tim £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 20.10.10 James - really fantastic effort for a great cause, not to mention probably the experience of a lifetime. Hope you get some more AMS (After Mountain Stella) very soon! |
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Costi Rentzos £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 20.10.10 James, I was so sorry to hear you were scuppered by AMS. 19,000 ft is a bloody challenge. I've climbed to 9,500 and that was bad enough. A worthwhile cause, hope you make the target, best, Costi. |
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Mum £100.00 (+ £28.21 giftaid) 20.10.10 Gallant effort James, helping those unfortunate children. x |
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Dad £100.00 (+ £28.21 giftaid) 20.10.10 Well done James. A noble effort for a very good cause. x |
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Mary Bonar £100.00 (+ £28.21 giftaid) 20.10.10 I am delighted that you and Mac made it. |
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Sam Shortt £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 20.10.10 |
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Dermot Hanney £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 19.10.10 And I thought my cycle home from work was hard work! Keep up the good work and always be thinking of the children! |
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Catherine Plews £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 19.10.10 Well done James |
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Jim Newsom £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 19.10.10 Well done James! |
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Martin Dix £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 19.10.10 Hi James, brilliant effort, well done! |
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Simon £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 12.10.10 Nearly there James! We'll all give you a thought on Thursday morning. All the very best. |
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tony vickers £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 12.10.10 well done james best wishes tony & merielxx |
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Andy B £100.00 (+ £28.21 giftaid) 09.10.10 James, James, Morrison, Morrison, Weatherby, George and Dupree..take great care...and be back in time for tea! |
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Anonymous £100.00 (+ £28.21 giftaid) 06.10.10 I never saw you as MVA's answer to Mary Poppins. Coming down might be easier. Well done in anticipation. Nick N. |
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Barrie Papworth £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 06.10.10 Very best of luck James it is both an exciting and selfless venture your undertaking. Best wishes |
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Jackie Lovern £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 06.10.10 good luck and well done for badgering , thats the hard bit collecting the money. Hope it goes well |
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Mick Roberts £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 06.10.10 My little bit to help you reach the summit (of your target). |
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Chris Paterson £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 06.10.10 Good luck. |
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James Masini £5.00 (+ £1.41 giftaid) 06.10.10 Another uphill battle I'm paying you for! Good luck! |
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Stephen Bond £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 06.10.10 Good luck James! |
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Chris £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 05.10.10 Come-on James, you can do it. We all know we'll never hear the last of your conquest (I was going to put triumph but thought from a motoring perspective that might offend you) |
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Emma £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 05.10.10 Best of luck James, look forward to seeing some pictures! |
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Jenny £5.00 (+ £1.41 giftaid) 04.10.10 Good luck. |
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Emma £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 04.10.10 Best of luck. |
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Loedun & BPA £250.00 04.10.10 Both Loedun Limited and BPA have pleasure in giving your incredible efforts for the railway children a further wee boost. All the best in your endeavours - we will think of you up that mountain! All the best my friend - Toby |
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Chris and Susie Lewis £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 02.10.10 Best of luck - hope its clear at the top! Susie and Chris at 55 BG |
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Tim Clarke £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 01.10.10 Good luck James - a great charity to support. So, as they say, "Don't stop till you reach the ...." |
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David Jowsey £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 30.09.10 Best of luck and enjoy yourself! |
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Brian Freemantle £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 30.09.10 Good luck, great cause. |
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Graeme Swinburne £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 30.09.10 I want to see the photos! |
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Andy H £25.00 (+ £7.05 giftaid) 28.09.10 Jim you old dog, crack open a Young's Special at the top and drink to old mates...... then Keith & Ralph. Andy |
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mj £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 24.09.10 James, have a fabulous time, good luck! |
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Christopher McGee-Osborne £25.00 (+ £7.05 giftaid) 17.09.10 Good walking James. Very impressed at your promise to descend on the unicycle I gather you'll be carrying on the way up. |
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Anonymous £100.00 (+ £28.21 giftaid) 16.09.10 So long as you don't sing "Climb every mountain"! |
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Richard Harper £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 14.09.10 Good luck James, you're braver than I am! It would need a railway up there before I would take it on.... |
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Brawny £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 13.09.10 vrrrooommmm |
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Michael Holden £40.00 (+ £11.28 giftaid) 12.09.10 Go for it petrolhead |
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Martin Blaiklock £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 11.09.10 Condition: all remain decent on the trip. |
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Chris P £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 08.09.10 Not long now! Best of luck. |
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Anonymous £25.00 (+ £7.05 giftaid) 07.09.10 |
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Liz £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 07.09.10 Good luck! |
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stephen henderson £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 06.09.10 |
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Nick Eastop £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 27.08.10 Good luck James |
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Andrew Jones £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 18.08.10 Good Luck James. I'm sure it will be a great experience (!) and all for a very worthy cause. |
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Hal £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 20.07.10 One mountain, but how many blisters! Good luck |
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Guy £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 17.07.10 Couple of hours up Kili then back down for lunch |
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Anonymous £40.00 (+ £11.28 giftaid) 13.07.10 |
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Chris £100.00 (+ £28.21 giftaid) 12.07.10 Viva Espana! |
