Steve Cram's Celebrity Golf Day in aid of COCO
Do you fancy yourself as a keen golfer? Join Steve Cram, COCO and a host of celebrities for our golf day on the 15th June at the magnificent De Vere Slaley Hall in Northumberland. For more details and to enter a team please click here.
Ben Shepherd Inspires Steve Cram ahead of his Kilimanjaro Climb!
Wednesday 15th July 2009
In preparation for his Kilimanjaro Climb for COCO in November, Steve Cram and the rest of the climbers met up with Ben Shepherd who recently climbed Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief.
A few weeks ago Steve Cram joined a group of about 25 people at Covent Garden's Berghaus store. All the group will be climbing Kilimanjaro with Steve in November and most met each other for the first time at Berghaus.
Currently a small group of students from Newcastle University are climbing Kili to raise funds for COCO's projects and we'll update you on how they get on soon!
However, in November Steve Cram and about 30 people including Olympic rower Zac Purchase will take on Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. Following the success of our student trek COCO felt it was time to persuade Steve to take on the challenge and if celebrities like Cheryl Cole and Chris Moyles can do it there was no excuse left for Steve! The trek will raise vital funds for COCO's projects and make a huge difference to the lives of children living in poverty.
Back in June all the group met at Berghaus where expert staff provided advice on kit. Backbacks, clothing and walking shoes were all explained in detail so that our climbers are properly prepared for the trip.
The highlight of the evening was a talk from COCO's special guest Ben Shepherd. Ben was one of the Comic Relief celebrities who climbed Kili and knows first hand just how challenging yet rewarding the climb is and he provided some valuable advice for the group.
Other than the essential layers and warm clothes, if you ever wondered what the best piece of kit to take is, you only have to ask Ben - earplugs! The porters in camp tend to wake up and move around very early in the day and Ben swears that if it wasn't for his trusted pair of earplugs he would have missed out on a great deal of sleep. Say no more...the earplugs are in the bag!
COCO's Fundraising and Marketing Coordinator Laura Elliott will be joining Steve and the rest of the group for the climb. Whilst Laura has walked up Snowdon and Ben Nevis, she knows that Kili will be a different challenge altogether!
"I am excited and nervous at the same time! This will be an amazing experience and I know that if I am not hit by altitude sickness then it's a case of willpower and endurance. I am really looking forward to visiting our projects in Tanzania and I know that this will provide great motivation throughout the climb."
For many of the climbers, including Laura, hearing Ben's words of advice and his experiences during the climb not only provided a huge amount of inspiration but eased the nerves about what to expect.
Reflecting on the evening Laura said "It was fantastic to meet Ben and hear about his experiences. It's helpful to read the guide books but speaking to someone who has actually been there and experienced it is invaluable. Ben really inspired me and I'll remember his words of wisdom when things get tough!"
COCO would like to thank Ben for giving up his time to speak to our climbers.
THe group leave for Tanzania on Friday 30th October so the walking boots should be out and worn in and the fundraising in full swing.
More updates about how the group are preparing for the trek will follow soon!
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