OK so it’s 2011 and the new Shooting Orchid challenge has begun. This year Mike is taking up the mantle single handedly, climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa, in aid of The Alzheimer’s Society. His target is £3800 and he has only three months to raise the money. Time starts… now!

So Mike, what’s going on…?

What?

I will be spending seven days climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, along with 29 other adventurers (including two of my three sisters) in September 2011. Sure the Shooting Orchids trip of 2009 was a huge challenge, but this is far more personal and besides, walking for 10-15 hours a day uphill sounds hard, very hard.

Why?

I took up this challenge for two reasons. Firstly, I have an extrememly personal reason to support the Alzheimer’s Society and secondly, two of my sisters are doing it. Now, the second reason might sound a bit flimsy but when I tell you that those two sisters dont know I’m doing it with them, it makes a little more sense. I’m hoping it’ll be a good surprise when I turn up at the airport for the flight to Tanzania.

Well, as most of you know, my mum has Alzheimer’s. She was diagnosed a few years ago and in the short intervening years we have seen her change from our loving mother into someone who barely recognises us. In short, Alzheimers is an unbelieveably cruel affliction which, bit by bit, strips away all the things that make a person who they are.

When?

I will leave on the 15th September and arrive back home on the 24/25th. It is an eleven day trip with a little bit of acclimatisation before and hopefully rest at the end. We expect to reach the summit on day nine and then descend on day 10, hopefully leaving us enough time for a good meal and sound nights sleep before returning to the UK.

Where?

Mt Kilimanjaro is in Tanzania, and is the highest peak in Africa at 5640m high.

How?

Over the next four months, I will be raising money through a range of events which will all be detailed on this site.