All the Latest News from the Team

12/11/08 - On Saturday 8th November four members of the team stood at 5,895m triumphant on the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Irwin H, Irwin A, Glenn and Kenny were successful after several grueling hours of ascent towards the summit; but their hard work was rewarded by the most unbelievable views imaginable (photos coming soon). Due to illness James was unable to make a summit attempt and after almost three hours Stephen returned to base as the nausea and effects of the climb started to kick in. The whole team did extremely well over the toughest seven days of their lives; the steep climbs, the win, rain and snow, the altitude and the lack of sleep really did make this trip a challenge. However as one wise trekker said ‘A successful trek in the mountains is when everyone gets home safe’ and that’s exactly how everyone felt as they returned to the hotel. Well done to the boys who made it to the top; and well done to those who got so far and gave it their best shot.

More reports; photos and comments will follow.

31/10/08 – I don’t think any of us can actually believe that we leave for Africa today. Its been nearly 18months in the planning; but that time has finally arrived and there is no going back. Our bags are packed and ready to go; and to be honest, we are worse than a pack of women (no disrespect to women intended); but we’ve everything with us but the kitchen sink. ‘how many pairs of trousers are you taking?’; ‘what medication are you bringing?’; ‘Are you bringing icebreaker or Paramo?’. No doubt when we get to day 4 on the mountain there will be something we have forgotten; and by that time it will be too late. At least we’ll have plenty of chocolate bars to share round; James is bringing enough for the whole team. A big Thanks must go to Mervyn for sponsoring us all a box of Maximuscle Viper Extreme Bars... ‘feel the effects in 30 mins’ – they’ll make good energy bars to keep us going to the top.

18/10/08 – With less than two weeks to go the team had their last training walking on Saturday 18th October. Four team members headed to Binevenagh to stroll through the forest and head up and along the plateau. This was a great way to complete training for Kilimanjaro with a four and half hour hike as autumn set in. Some of the jokes just got worse as the day went on and this is no doubt setting the scene for the slopes in Africa.

01/10/08 – When the Kilimanjaro Challenge was first created the team thought it would be great to raise at least £4,000 for the Academy. Little did any of us realise that over a year and a half later we would be breaking through a revised target of £20,000. This is truely unbelievable and testament to the hard work of the team and the generous giving by friends, family, work colleagues, Business and the general public. It is great to know that every single penny of the £20,000 will go to the Academy... and the best thing is.... The team haven’t finished collecting yet.

27/09/08 – On Saturday 27th September the team had a bed push and collection in the city of Lisburn. It was a good dry day which was great for the collectors. In the end £847.14 was lifted and every single penny will go to the Academy. The team would like to thank the members of the public for their generous giving and Richard Mitchell for coming and helping with the event.

08/09/08 - It is now less than 8 weeks to go until the team head to Kilimanjaro for the challenge of a lifetime; but the guys aren't sitting back and resting on the work they have already done over the past year... there is one final fundraising effort, one final attempt to raise some money for the Academy, one FINAL PUSH... yes the last Bed Push and Street Collection will take place on Saturday 27th September in Lisburn.

If you are free and able to help, your time and support will be greatly appreciated. Come along and help...

01/09/08 – Once again the team have excelled beyond their own expectations have are set to smash through the £20,000 mark for funds raised for the BCFC academy. With some money still to be banked the team have organised their final bed push and street collection which will be in Lisburn on Saturday 27th September. If you are free to help, let the guys know. The running total as of 1st September 08 is: £19,297.20.

18/08/08 – Great news for our website as their have been over 10,000 hits since it’s launch a year ago. Its great to see that people are interested in the Kilimanjaro Challenge…

09/08/08 - On Saturday 9th August the team faced their toughest challenge yet ‘The Seven Sevens’ where the task is to summit the seven highest peaks in the Mourne Mountains which are all over 700m. The aim is to start at Donard car park before heading to Donard, Commedagh, Bearnagh, Meelmore, Meelbeg, (check point at Ben Crom dam), Binnian, Lamagan followed by the hike back to the car park again.

Everyone was require to have the correct clothing and boots as well as hat, food, compass and map (and boy did we need it)… Saturday 9th August was the wettest day of the year with one months rain falling in one day; and that’s how we started. The cloud down around us made visibility poor with the wind and rain beating in our faces.

We all started off at a good pace, but due to the weather conditions we just knew it would be a long day. With little time to spare during the day any rest stops were few and short. Eating and energy bar and drinking some water while standing was all we could manage at any one time. If anyone had taken a seat cramp would have set in quickly making progression in the hike difficult.

As the day slipped by some took a more gentler pace which meant the cut off time was missed at Ben Crom and therefore only five peaks were completed. The rest powered on through and completed the seven… well done to all.

For all of us out that day it was the perfect challenge for Kilimanjaro… we now know we are ready for the slopes of Africa…. We just need to be ready for the altitude.

Thanks also to the friends who went with us…

Those who took up the challenge:

Irwin Adair: 7 peaks in 11 hours 33 minutes
Raymond McAllister: 7 peaks in 13 hours 38 minutes
Irwin Holmes: 7 peaks in 13 hours 39 minutes
Ian McNougher: 7 peaks in 13 hours 41 minutes
David McCahon: 7 peaks in 13 hours 42 minutes
Glenn Owens: 5 peaks in 12 hours 27 minutes
Stephen Fletcher: 5 peaks in 12 hours 27 minutes
John Herron: 5 peaks and retired
Kenny Moore: 1 peak and retired injured

PS: The fastest walker on the day was Hannah Shields in 6 hours 29 minutes who is well know for her Everest summit.

Watch out for some photographs in our gallery…