Raising Funds for Macmillan Cancer Support

Between the 3rd - 24th July 2010, I will be joining a commercial expedition to South America. The aim of the 22 day expedition will be to climb four high altitude mountains in the Cordillera Real region of Bolivia. In the months before, during and after the expedition I am aiming to raise a minimum of £20 000 in support of Macmillan Cancer Care.

Leadership, and logistics for the challenge will be provided by an experienced expedition company whose leaders have organised expeditions all over the world. They have led teams to the summit of Everest - north and south - 12 times. Another of their impressive achievements was the first British led ascent of the NE face of 8,601 m Manaslu - the eighth highest mountain in the world.

This expedition should prove a challenging experience, and an exciting way to raise money for a truly deserving cause. Although the £20 000 target is a daunting one, I believe that it will not only be reached but surpassed. There are a lot of good people out there on Facebook, Twitter who I will be looking at to spread the word for me.

One immediate boost that anyone who has a Facebook account can provide is to join the Facebook group I Support Macmillan Cancer Nurses. The greater the number of followers the group has, the better the chance I have of gaining good quality business sponsorship, and the better the quality of the sponsorship the more money I can raise for Macmillan. So if you have a Facebook account PLEASE JOIN the group - the only cost to you is the time it takes to click your mouse.

From minute one of the adventure I will be posting daily written reports and bi-daily video reports. I am joining the expedition for two reasons: to have a wonderful but challenging adventure, but also, more seriously, to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support. The serious nature of the second reason for my going does not mean that my expedition reports will be 'serious'. The reports will reflect the nature of my feelings towards mountains - FUN !

You can find out more about the expedition and make a donation which will be split between Macmillan, the expedition fees and a local cause, by visiting the Bolivia6000 website. Donating this way ensures that whilst Macmillan will still get the lions share of the funds raised you will also be helping us to ease the costs of the expedition itself.

If you prefer to donate 100% to Macmillan then you can do so by visiting the fundraising Justgiving page