My childhood dreams were to represent the UK, cycling at the Olympics, or climb the highest mountains in the world.

I have missed the London Olympic cycling team for 2012, but still want to challenge myself in the spirit of the Olympic moto: Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger).

On March 30th I will begin my journey to Everest Base Camp and Kala Patar in the Himalayas. I aim to reach a maximum height of 5554m or 18,200 feet where there will be half the amount of oxygen available in Cheshire.

I will be trekking for two weeks and will be posting pictures and diary entries on this blog, to record my journey and share my experiences with my wife Jill, my family & friends and the Hartford Manor Community.

Alongside the trek I hope to raise money for the "Make a Wish Foundation", who will be supporting one of our Year 6 pupils, Alfie Rogers, and his family. Alfie wishes to visit "The World of Harry Potter" at Universal Studios, Florida, with his family with support from the Foundation.

Alfie has been absent from school since July 2011, as he continues to receive treatment for bone cancer. Alfie is responding well to his treatment and has just started visiting school, to work in a small group with his classmates for up to one hour a day.

Make-A-Wish Foundation UK, is a charity with a single purpose - granting wishes to children and young people aged 3-17 fighting life-threatening conditions.

If you want to sponsor my attempt to reach Everest Base Camp and Kala Patar, and help make Alfie's wish come true, please visit my "Just Giving" page using the link on the right.

Donations through "Just Giving" are fast and totally secure. Your details are safe - they'll never share them with anyone or send you unwanted e-mails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. They'll make sure Gift Aid (an additional 28%) is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer, too.

This is not an organised charity trek, I am self funding this trip and all donations will go directly to the "Make a Wish Foundation".

Thank you for your support

Simon Kidwell

Thursday, 5 April 2012

Tea Stop

Well I made it!
I landed in Lukla 10:45. It's now 1pm and it's pouring down. I must have been on the last flight of the day. The plane was slightly better than yesterday's Tuk Tuk. I now have a very low bench mark to judge planes by and I would prefer my planes to be made from aluminium.
I flew over with Helmut, a guide from the group one day ahead of me. I'm not sure he knew what to make of my "High 5" as we landed but he seemed to get the gist . He will try to catch the Exodus group one day ahead of us, over the next two days.
I should catch up with them before Everest Base Camp.
I was met at the airport by my guide for the trek, Dalman. He will be carrying my 11kg Exodus bag, plus his own luggage, and I'll carry my day bag. I'm so glad I packed light!
Thanks for your messages of support by email, FB, twitter and the blog. They do help, and thank you for your kind donations - I'm determined that Alfie will get to The World of Harry Potter!
Speak soon.

Sent from my iPhone

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1 comment:

  1. Heather5 April 2012 at 01:30

    well done Si! so glad you made it. You are nearly at your first £1000 - everyone loves the blog and all hoping you raise your target for Alfie!

    ReplyDelete

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