We would like to say a huge thank you to all the banks who donated on the night!

Evelyn, who is an international percussionist, literally “played” her way up the mountain with her drumsticks to raise awareness of the challenges faced by Africa’s 52 million children and young people.

Her fellow climbers – who included a visually impaired Ugandan woman, a hearing impaired Ugandan man, a disabled Ugandan sportsman and two Kenyan men with physical disabilities caused by childhood polio –took on the climb ahead of International Day of Disabled People on Friday 3rd December.

Evelyn said:

“We know that rocks and stones do actually sing, they do create interesting sounds, so I took a pair of sticks because I was curious to find out what the mountain might sound like!”

“There are more than 52 million disabled children in Africa and too many are without hope. The only way we can make a sustainable difference is by including these children in Africa’s future development. I chose the challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro because I wanted to make a difference to our next generation.

“I have good reason to recognize the importance of education and inclusion for ALL children; it empowered me to make my own unique journey in life. The disabled children supported by AbleChildAfrica desperately need inclusion. Enabling these children means enrichment, quality of life, and reduced dependency for them, their families and communities.”

It wasn’t the first time that Evelyn played “Rock” music. Earlier this year she led a project using music to teach geology to children in Cumbria by building a “lithophone” which is a xylophone make of stone.

All the climbers hope their venture will highlight what disabled people can achieve when given the opportunity and help raise money for projects working with disabled children in Africa.

You can make a donation online here.

Tonight is the final night before the AbleClimbsAfrica team makes its assault on the summit.

We’ve talked about some of the disabled African climbers in the team including Florence, Fred and Shikuku.

We’ve also heard about the great contribution that AbleChildAfrica’s patron, Dame Evelyn Glennie is making by being on the climb, inspiring the team and bringer wider attention to our important work.

It’s also worth mentioning that there is a team of UK climbers who are on the climb and raising funds for our charity.

One is AbleChildAfrica supporter Espen Svendsen who is so committed to the cause that he is going to spend his 35th on the mountain this Thursday!

Espen, who lives in North London, was inspired to take part in the climb because he believes that every child should be given an equal opportunity in life.

He was also drawn by the idea of combining a personal challenge with raising money for a worthy cause – and he’s already raised £6,000 so well done Espen!

Speaking the final phase of the climb Espen says he is looking forward to Standing on the very top of Africa and expects to feel elated!

He says that climbing Kilimanjaro is the biggest challenge he’s taken on. Espen says that through life he’s had every opportunity to do what he wants, when he wants to and he realizes that everyone isn’t so fortunate.

He’e pleased to be returning to East Africa because he thinks it is a vibrant place, full of life and joy.

Before the climb he said “no doubt there’ll be a lot of sweat, tears and altitude sickness involved in this, but I’ll be darned if I don’t make it to the top”.

You can send Espen a very special birthday present this year by making a donation to AbleChildAfrica today.

As The BBC website says: “Kenyan Frederick Ouko and his Ugandan team-mate, Florence Ndagire, haven’t let their disabilities get in the way of their success”

You can hear their interview right now by clicking on the following link and forward the podcast to the final third of the programme.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00bwg9d#synopsis

They are lead by our patron Dame Evelyn Glennie who says she has I chosen the challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro because she wants to make a difference to our next generation.

“There are more than 52 million disabled children in Africa and too many are without hope. The only way we can make a sustainable difference is by including these children in Africa’s future development” she said.

Evelyn has now met team of disabled African climbers including the remarkable Florence Ndagire, who has overcome her visual impairment to become of the the tiny proportion of disable girls in Africa who get an education and find meaningful employment.

Florence said:

“We are all tired of being viewed as objects of sympathy alone, what we really want is the chance to help ourselves and make choices about out own lives. So many well-meaning projects still fall short of this by offering young disabled people limited options, but AbleChildAfrica is different”

We wish Florence, Evelyn and the very best of luck as they set off on their remarkable journey today. If you want to show your support please making donation online by clicking here to donate http://www.justgiving.com/Evelyn-Glennie

The Challenge is to swim a one-mile swim in the heart of the capital http://www.greatswim.org/

The Royal Victoria Dock, venue of the British Gas Great London Swim, is situated in the East End of London near Canary Wharf in the London Borough of Newham.

The one-mile course will be set against the magnificent London skyline, with views of Canary Wharf and the rejuvenated London Docklands area, providing the perfect backdrop for a Great Swim.

For many the biggest challenge of the British Gas Great London Swim may be overcoming the fear of swimming in the Thames. However contrary to popular belief the water quality is in fact very good and is acknowledged to be one of the cleanest metropolitan rivers in the world. This is largely down to the Thames being tidal.

We we are really pleased to have Juliet, who is the daughter of one of our Trustees swimming for us in add of our life changing work with disabled children and, if you are impressed as we are by her attempt to swim in the Thames please consider contributing to her fundraising at http://www.justgiving.com/Juliet-Turnbull0

The spirit in which John has set himself such an ambitious challenge is inspiring to me.  When I first came to work at AbleChildAfrica I’d never thought of undertaking physical challenges like these!  Yet here I am 6 years, a Marathon, a Triathlon and a Half Marathon later.  I hardly have the shape for it and, I have to confess, I dont always throughly enjoy it (!) but I love the discipline of setting yourself a challenge and going for it!  These physical challenges have taught me a lot about focus and determination and keeping going when the going gets tough.  I always say that as long as your ‘reasonably fit’ most people can physically achieve these challenges – yes they are hard and, you might not be fast – but your body can rise to the challenge!  The question is always whether your mind can rise to the challenge?  Whether you want to suceed enough?  When I was struggling (and I mean struggling) around Silverstone in the Half Marathon earlier this month I quite literally kept myself going by thinking about the people we work with.  By remembering the times when I have visited children in villages in Africa who have been kept locked up inside because their parents are afraid and ashamed of their disability, by thinking of the women, mothers of disabled children who have given up their lives to change the lives of their children and by remembering that Anne, who had polio as a child in Africa herself was racing ahead of me and wouldnt be impressed if I gave up!

John will need all the mental courage and positive thinking he can muster to make it through 3 marathons this year.  Why not give him a push by leaving a comment on his website or a donation on his giving page.  Every little positive action – when they are all stuck together – can make the changes we want to see in this world.

“I feel a sense of hope and empowerment working with AbleChildAfrica’s efforts to support disabled children in East Africa. They are passionate about their work and strive towards making a difference in the lives of some of the less fortunate members of our society – the children.

Both Uganda Society for Disabled Children and AbleChildAfrica are committed to changing the lives of disabled children in Uganda. I want more and more people to know about this work and get an opportunity to contribute to its effectiveness.”

Fundraiser, Uganda Society for Disabled Children