Carole's Everest Base Camp Challenge

Dear Friends

This has been a difficult letter to craft; whilst I have helped to raise lots of cash for charities from a business perspective (the Forum members have proudly gifted £440K to date) and feel quite used to doing so, now it's got personal!

Crikey - it's a tough and humbling experience to ask for money (unless its from my Dad!), however it is the first time and probably the last, and I am approached frequently by others, so here goes :

I have had lots of personal challenges in my life - broken the ice in frozen lodges on New Year's morning, covered considerable distances walking, running, canoeing, abseiling and talking my way around this fine country of ours.

However nothing comes close to the challenge I have committed to undertaking 3 days after my 52nd birthday, so I'd be ever so grateful if you could take a little time to read about it below.

Call it a midlife crisis if you will, but on April 30th I will be setting off on a personal challenge of a lifetime - trekking to the base camp of the world's highest mountain - Mt EVEREST.

Simply writing this fills me with anxiety and panic, but what drives me to test my whole body and mind to climb to a height of 5,545 metres ( 18,192 feet for us old folk) is the difference that it will make to the beneficiaries of the charities that on whose behalf I will be raising money.

Thankfully, I'll be surrounded on the trek by 20 friends and colleagues from the Forum, who I know will provide inspiration and support, but my real inspiration and motivation is raising as much as I can for 3 charities (for the purposes of this fundraising page the lead charity is Show Racism The Red Card, but all money raised will be distributed evenly between my 3 chosen charities) where I have a personal involvement and passion for :

The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation : I was privileged to be part of the committee working with my dear friend Bobby to set up the Foundation which supports the work of those who are pioneering the fight against cancer. I realise that any contribution I make personally can never match the £2.2m raised in just 22 months (from a standing start) by such an iconic hero - but, as they say, every little helps.

Cash For Kids : Cash for Kids is the official charity of Metro Radio and Magic 1152 - I am a trustee of this great endeavour, whose supporters work tirelessly to raise thousands of pounds to help local children who suffer abuse or neglect, are disabled and have special needs or who simply need extra care or guidance.

Show Racism the Red Card : A charity that I have enjoyed working with since my adidas and NUFC days. It's a charity which uses the high profile of good role model footballers to get the message over to young people that racism has no part in society.

I appreciate that times are tough and we all get flooded with requests so if you cannot help on this occasion then I do, of course, understand completely.

However, if you are able to support me that would be fantastic, and it couldn't be easier - simply click on the link everyclick.com/entrepreneursbasecampchallenge

All that remains for me to say, then, is a huge thank you for taking the time to read this, and an even bigger thank you for your generosity if you followed the link.

Warm regards

Carole