We receive a lot of correspondence from charities and individuals looking for sponsorship for their particular cause, most of which are extremely well thought through and thorougly deserving of support. Regrettably we cannot provide everyone with sufficient support so have decided instead and to use our blog to help raise awareness of these various expeditions and personal challenges and in particular provide details of how you may be able to support them.

I recently lost a dear friend to Motor Nurone Disease that robbed him of his life in the hills, his considerable fitness and, over a toturous period of five years until his recent death, gradually imprisoned his lively and intelligent mind in an almost useless body. As a human race, nothing should prevent us trying to eradicate evil illnesses such as this and since some people are prepared to give of themselves toward these goals they are therefore deserving whatever support you and I can muster. 

Rather than overwhelm you  we though we would select a few of the most demanding ones - those that challenge the undertaker to the limit of their endurance and ability and test their commitment to the utmost while supporting a cause that is dear to many while encompassing the British spirit of mountain adventure for which as a nation we are justifiably proud.

So, heres the first one:

Everest Challenge

Hello,

I am writing to you with regards to a summit attempt I shall be making on Mount Everest around spring 2012 in aid of Bowel Cancer UK for whom I aim to raise £100,000.

 To date I have no previous climbing experience at all and as a result this will be a challenge no like other and is one which is already receiving a fair amount of media attention in the two months since I made my plans public.

 In order to gain the technical ability and fitness levels required to give me the best possible chance of succeeding on my journey up the mountain, I will have to devote every minute of my spare time to preparing for the expedition. This will involve a trip to the Alps and Nepal in 2010 for some practise climbs and technical training with the intention of completing a couple of 6000 and 7000 climbs in 2011, for which I require some specialist equipment and clothing. This is where I am hoping you can help me.

 All money I raise over the next 30 months will be going direct to Bowel Cancer UK and as a result I will be funding, by way of personal loans, all my practise climbs and the 2012 expedition to Everest myself. Already the costs of these expeditions are expected to exceed £25,000 and this does not include any equipment costs.

 2012 is a long way off in terms of starting to raise money for charity, however it allows me sufficient time to raise media awareness of my attempt and in turn publicise those who help me in my quest to raise as much money as possible for charity. My story has already appeared on BBC Radio York and the York Press and I have been granted continual support by these two media groups leading up to my climb. I am now in talks with BBC television, national radio and two national newspapers who are very interested in my story. I have also been approached by a film production company with a view to running a documentary on my training and climb in 2012. All of these media outlets provide a great platform for advertising those who have supported my efforts, something which those companies who have already offered raffle prizes are finding out.

 If you feel you can offer me some support by way of donating a piece of equipment or item of clothing for use during my training and summit bid I would be extremely pleased and grateful to hear from you. I can be contacted by email, telephone on 01904 780525 or through my website www.climb.daveoneverest.com.

 May I thank you for taking the time to read this letter and I hope to hear from you soon.

 Kindest Regards

 Dave Reeves