On behalf of the children who will benefit from the sponsorship, we would like to thank everyone who has supported this fantastic achievement by our granddaughter. 

A huge thank you to Aimie for taking on this enormous challenge. 

Hi, my name is Aimie!

I’d consider myself an adventurous person, although not entirely spontaneous! In early 2021 a work colleague told me that they were doing a trek to Kilimanjaro with a
company called Evertrek UK, I couldn’t help but be intrigued. That evening I went home from work, looked into the trek and liked what I read. The next thing I knew I’d paid my deposit that same evening and it was happening, I was taking on Kili (as it is affectionately known)!

My family were just as surprised as I had been when I told them my plans, however they were very supportive too. The excitement began to build the more we talked about the plans and I began to realise all that I could learn and overcome by completing such a big achievement. Not only to complete the trek itself but the organisation, planning, the financial costs (it’s a self-funded trip), the training and discipline to increase my fitness, as well as the potential risks that come before the trip even starts.

During the conversations with my family, we realised what a great opportunity this would be to raise awareness and fundraise for a charity or two at the same time.

These two charities are the ones that I have chosen:

• Motor Neurone Disease Association (Scarborough and Bridlington group) - This is an incurable disease my Grandpa was diagnosed with and this group specifically is the local one supporting them.
• Smiles to Tanzania - My Grandparents, who founded this charity, have worked tirelessly before and throughout the pandemic, always thinking about how they can help others, even when their own lives were changing and being affected. It only seems right that I take this opportunity to support them as they have and continue to do so for the people of Tanzania.

I have set up a JustGiving^TM fundraising page for both the charities and started training. Luckily I have always been into fitness and keeping healthy so I already trained on-and-off, but never really with a proper plan.

After booking the trip I began training in earnest and I currently train 4 times a week with a mixture of weights and cardio, as well as getting out walking whenever I can. On the Evertrek UK site you can get you a good idea of what to expect. There are great hints and tips on there along with downloadable walking plans if you wanted to use them.

My flights are booked and the trip is nearly all paid for. There are still a couple of bits to get sorted, like visa, vaccinations and insurance, but I’ve either already got or can borrow most of the equipment which helps a lot!

I’m lucky enough to have a family who are supportive and want to help me with the fundraising aspects so we will be moving forward with that within the next month or so.

Check back for my training updates!

For more information about MNDA : MND Association | Fighting motor neurone disease

Any donations are greatly appreciated:

• Smiles to Tanzania - SmilesToTanzania

• Motor Neurone Disease Association (Scarborough and Bridlington Group) - MND Association

• 408 School uniforms for vulnerable/at risk/orphaned children
• 441 Solar Lights
• 144 Pencils
• 250 Pens
• 1336 Exercise Books
• 102 Reusable Sanitary Towels given to girls of a certain age. (These are made by the ladies at Lake Victoria Children)

January	After Derek gave the Ryedale Lions Club a powerpoint demonstration on the work which we do in Ukerewe, Tanzania, we were presented with a cheque which allowed sixteen more children to receive school uniforms, books , pencils and pens so that they were able to attend school. The children were also given a Solar Light if their home did not have electricity.
February	We paid for another 500 Solar Lights to help the school children to see with a clean source of light, then they did their homework. This brings the total to 5564 Solar Lights provided to date.
March	Through our Back-To-School fundraising, another 110 children received uniforms etc. These children were from 39 villages and 3 satellite islands which were visited and the children provided for.
April	Our fundraising activities have now raised £58,000.00 since we started this charity!
May	A donation was received from Scarborough Inner Wheel
June	A donation was received from the Ryedale U3A book stall
June	A donation was also received from the Rotary Club of Filey for £650.00
September	We joined Amazon Smile and will receive 0.05% of most purchases. Just put our name on the charity  section after you have logged into Amazon Smile.
November	Through our medical fund, we were able to finance medical treatment for a further 22 children.

In addition to the above, during the year we also received several donations from individuals for which we are extremely grateful. Our sincere thanks go to all of the above who have improved the lives of these children.

Bless you all!

The children were suffering from a range of ailments that were treated either on the island or the mainland.

 Thanks to money donated toward the medical fund, the children were able to travel to the hospital with their parent or guardian.

Due to the distances that some have to travel, food and accommodation is also paid for.

Here are some more of the children that have benefited from the fund.

Alphan	Brandina	Deus
Edward	Mwatatu	Rose Marry