NATHAN'S KILIMANJARO TREK FOR MRF 2013

Hi everyone - as you can see or may have heard from me in person, I'm raising money this summer for the Meningitis Research Foundation (MRF - meningitis.org) in sponsorships for my climb of Kilimanjaro in September. Kilimanjaro stands 5,895 metres tall and is the highest mountain in Africa, as well as the highest free-standing mountain in the world. While I've seen that some 40% of trekkers don't reach the Uhuru summit (and the Wikipedia page for Kili is quite scary in general) I am determined that with your help and support for the MRF and myself I will not be part of that statistic. For more information on the climb itself, feel free to watch the video above. The MRF funds research to improve survival rates and outcomes for meningitis and septicaemia, with the ultimate goal of preventing the two deadly diseases capable of killing in a matter of hours. Some 3,400 cases of bacterial meningitis and septicaemia are reported every year in the UK and Ireland equating to over nine people every day falling ill; with one in ten of these people dying, a death will occur almost every day. In addition, at least two of those people who survive are likely to be left with severe brain damage, deafness and multiple amputations. While some vaccines are available and offer excellent protection, they are not yet available for all forms of the disease. For more information see the following link: (meningitis.org/awareness-education). Teenagers in particular are also known to be at risk specifically from meningococcal disease. While again the MenC vaccine has been able to dramatically reduce cases of Group C meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, Group B and other rarer types of meningococcal disease remain a considerable threat to teenagers' health especially. Symptoms may not be dissimilar to a flu or hangover from a heavy night, but I fully encourage you to read the information provided here in order so that you can seek medical help immediately if you identify with the following when you are unwell: (meningitis.org/symptoms/young-people) Donating is easy and fully secured via the links on this page. If you are a UK taxpayer, please also allow the MRF to claim GiftAid on your donation, a further 20% of any money you pledge. I?ll keep updating here until September with more information of any fundraising events planned before I go. Any donations are guaranteed to go a long way to supporting the work of the MRF as well as a big hug of thanks from me. Cheers guys x