When asked the question at the introduction to the Kilimajaro Trek for Maternal Health whether I "ever wanted to help save lives AND have the adventure of a lifetime?", my immediate and unequivocal answer was and is -YES!

This offers me so much:

1) To answer the physical challenge of getting fit and able to to climb Africa's highest  mountain - Mt Kilimanjaro - after a number of physical/health issues myself. And in so doing, to experience the wonders of this beautiful part of our world. I fell in love with Africa on my first visit in 2001, and two subsequent trips have only reinforced my love for this most wonderful continent. And I will be enjoying it with like-minded adventurers who will share my joy, and we will know that by doing this we are raising funds for such a good cause.

2) To raise funds for such a worthwhile "hands on" charity as the Barbara May Foundation

3) And afterwards, to hopefully be able to help by staying on for some time to work in one of their maternity units.

Well, the decision to say YES was really a no brainer!

As an obstetrician, I feel very passionately that women in every part of the world should have access to safe maternity care to ensure both their health and the safe delivery of their babies. Here in Australia we are fortunate to have one of the best maternal health systems in the world.  But in developing countries this is far from the case. I have previously done some volunteer work in Papua New Guinea and it showed me the huge challenges in providing maternity care in developing countries.

So, I will do the training, walking and climbing to get to the "top of the mountain" to help raise money for the Barbara May Foundation and then try and do my best in helping with the work of Andrew and Valerie Browning. But I will need all the help of friends and colleagues in this endeavour.

Your donations to my fundraising will give me so much support to all these efforts - so, please, dig deep and help such a worthwhile charity!