In our Jane Smith Financial Planning update this month, we’re sharing news of an exciting charity fundraising challenge, and letting you know how you can get involved.
Our very own Nicola Watts is currently in Tanzania, climbing Kilimanjaro in aid of the Bedford and District Cerebral Palsy Society (BDCPS).
Others in the team, meanwhile, will be supporting Nicola by using the Conqueror app to complete a virtual Kilimanjaro challenge.
Keep reading for all the latest news about this incredible feat and its worthy cause.
Bedford and District Cerebral Palsy Society is celebrating its 70th birthday this year
Based in nearby Bedford, our local Cerebral Palsy Society has big plans for its platinum year and Jane Smith Financial Planning will be doing all we can to help.
For seven decades the charity has provided support for people with complex needs and their families. The charity was even awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service in 2018.
BDCPS focuses on “ability” rather than disability and prides itself on providing a “greenhouse” where young people can dream, grow, and achieve great things.
Nicola and the rest of us here at Jane Smith Financial Planning are proud to help.
Nicola has a gruelling challenge ahead
Having flown to Tanzania on 16th February, Nicola will start her trek on Sunday 18th February.
After months of preparation, this is when the real challenge will really begin.
There are seven established paths to the summit and Nicola will be taking the popular and beautiful Lemosho route, ascending the western slope to the mountain’s 5,895-metre (that’s 19,341 feet!) summit.
Over eight days of intense hiking, Nicola will be sleeping under the stars, checking out the beautiful scenery and local wildlife (Columbus monkeys anyone?), before beginning the pre-dawn final push to Uhuru Peak.
We wish Nicola all the best and can’t wait to hear about her adventure on her return. Stay tuned for all the latest.
The rest of the Jane Smith office won’t be slacking either
Not to be outdone (or at least to close the gap slightly!) Jane Smith’s intrepid team will also be embarking on a virtual challenge.
The Mount Kilimanjaro Virtual Challenge is a 60-mile (97km) trek through the beautiful landscapes of Africa, all via a simple mobile app.
While Nicola is away, we’ll be logging each walk, run, and workout, tracking our progress on the app’s interactive map. Jo is tackling the virtual challenge and says, “I can track my walking and even use Google Earth to see where I am on Kilimanjaro! This is quite nice when you’re just walking the local streets. The views are already breathtaking.”
Jo, Leanne, and Thomas are taking part and will be helping the environment too. By the end of the challenge, the app will have planted five trees on our behalf or stopped 50 bottles from entering the ocean (the choice is ours!)
You can get involved too
We’re sure you’ll join the team here at Jane Smith Financial Planning in wishing Nicola good luck and all the best for her incredible challenge.
Keep an eye out for further updates, and to find out how Nicola gets on.
You can also visit the BDCPS site to find out more about the amazing work this charity and its dedicated team do. You’ll also find information about the fundraising efforts they have planned for their 70th anniversary and all the details you need if you want to take part.
To support Nicola in her Kilimanjaro challenge, you can visit her Just Giving page and make a donation. Every penny makes a huge difference to our chosen charity and your donation is sure to spur Nicola on!
Production
