All the Latest News from the Team

22/07/08 – ‘A person must be mad to climb Knocklayd at night’ was the statement and back came the reply ‘it fairly helps to be mad’… and that’s what summed up the adventure on Monday night. A ‘night’ walk up our favourite spot; Knocklayd in Ballycastle. This would good training (not just because of the slopes) but we’d also be using our head torches which would be required for the final push to the summit of Kilimanjaro! Walking in the day time is one thing, but at night it is completely different. All you can see is the outline of the horizon against the night sky or else nothing at all when your trudging through the Ballycastle forest. Despite the dangers of falling into an unseen pot hole the craic was '90' as per any outing and the pace was steady even when surrounded in darkness.

As we got deeper between the trees no-one looked around for fear of seeing to eyes shining back, I think all the talk about the wild cats in the Ballycastle forest sobered up even the bravest soul… but as James put it ‘I don’t think I’d be able to out run one of them big cats; but I know I could out run wee Gordon’…. That’s ‘friends’ for you!

It took just over three hours up and down with us finishing just before 01:30am… at least some where off work the next day!!!

12/07/08 – Posted within the 'Events' section are some dates for training walks. The big one the team are looking forward to is the challenge of the 'Seven Sevens' where all seven peaks over 700m in the Mourne Mountains are to be completed within 12hours. If you would like to join us, just give someone a call. There will also be walks most wednesday evenings and the odd Monday night too.

05/05/08 - The team are pleased to confirm that over £3,000 has been raised by those people who took part in the ‘May Day Mountain Challenge’ and there is still lots more to come in.

It was one of the hottest days of the year; drinking water, sun cream, hat and shorts were the order of the day as everyone gathered for the start of the Slieve Donard climb. As everyone donned their McAuley Kitchen’s sponsored Kenya T-shirts, grabbed a bottle of water and a mars bar the temperature began to rise. This would be the first time the guys from the Kili team were able to walk without their waterproofs and Gore-Tex jackets. One regret Stephen had though… not rubbing enough sun scream on the back of the legs… their still sore!!!

Over 50 people completed the hike up Donard with everyone reaching the top. Young and old from all over Northern Ireland attended; Ballymoney, Lisburn, Auchnacloy, Enniskillen to name but a few places. A special mention has to go to the oldest member of the team… Ronald, 72 from Auchnacloy showed everyone how to do it by making it to the very top… and all the way back down again.

Not only was the weather good, the craic ninety and the scenery beautiful; everyone had a safe and incident free day with all trekkers making it safely back home.

A big thanks goes out from the Kilimanjaro Challenge team to all those who came along, helped, supported and donated. Every single penny of the £3k raised goes to BCFC academy in Kenya.

The only question we have to all trekkers… who is coming with us to Kilimanjaro?

14/04/08 – after the great success of recent fundraising campaigns the team have increased their fundraising target to £15,000. This is almost four times the original £4k that had been set out when the team first formed. The great interest from everyone supporting the team as well as the hard work organising the bed pushes, collections and other events has ensured that the funds are coming in. With just over 6 months left before the trek the team hope to hit and even surpass their new target.

14/04/08 ‘Not bad for sitting eating buns all day’ was one comment from a supporter of the Kilimanjaro Challenge Team… and he was right. Two coffee times (Ballymoney and Lisburn) where held on Saturday 12th April and both where a huge success.

In Ballymoney £1,430 was raised as everyone stopped by at The McConaghie’s to attend the coffee time organised by James and Irwin. A cake sale also contributed to the total raised for the day as both James and Irwin had slaved away in the kitchen all week in preparation!!!! A guest appearance from the BCFC Academy principal, Noreen McAfee was well received (such a long trip all the way from Kenya just for the Coffee Time!!!!). James and Irwin would like to thank everyone who came along and supported their event and also to those who couldn’t come but sent a donation. Not forgetting all the helpers; those who baked and brought goodies, especially their ‘better halves’… Heather and Carol.

Meanwhile 48 miles south in Lisburn, Stephen had organised a ‘Kenya Coffee Time’ which took place in the Douglas Suite of Lisburn Free Presbyterian Church (kindly granted) and seen £1,410 raised for the Academy. Stephen would also like to thank all those who attended, donated and who have contributed since then. Thanks also to everyone who helped on the day and to the people who provided tray bakes and scones. The support received by Stephen’s ‘Home Church’ (Ministers, Session, Committee, Members and friends) was deeply appreciated.

10/04/08: On a recent training walk which concluded with the ascent of Mount Errigal, the highest peak in Donegal, the team where privileged to experience a ‘Brocken Spectre’ – something which has been described as rare ‘phenomenon’ which is only experienced by a few privileged trekkers. Check out a full description on our ‘Brocken Spectre’ page within the ‘News’ section.