Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I pay for your holiday?
It's definitely not a holiday. I will be trekking around six to eight hours to day at altitude, so it'll be pretty demanding, and I'll have to put in a significant amount of hours in the gym if I'm to enjoy it. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to it, but if I wanted a nice relaxing holiday I definitely wouldn't choose to hike the Inca Trail!

But isn't this just an excuse to have the trip of a lifetime on the back of a charity?
Again, no: Cancer Research UK describe the Ultimate Challenge as "a key event in our fundraising calendar". In 2001, 35 people on the trek to Peru made am estimated profit of £50,000 for the charity (source: crctrekperu2001.org.uk). The minimum target for people on the trek is £3000, of which approximately one third goes towards travel expenses. I have already contributed £300 towards my expenses and I intend to try and cover more of the costs myself - starting with a website I am creating in the next few weeks, which should raise around £75 for the cause. I also think that a trek like this attracts publicity and therefore has the potential to raise more money than other events. I run the Cancer Research Race for Life every year and I never manage to get my fundraising anywhere near a four-figure sum - but with this trek, I will raise over £2000 for Cancer Research UK, and hopefully more.

Okay - how do I know you're genuine?
I have a verification letter from Cancer Research as confirmation that I am undertaking this challenge. This letter includes a name and number of a contact at the charity; she is happy to answer questions about my involvement in this trek.

If I want to support you, can I send a cheque to Cancer Research or do you have to pay it all in in one go?
I can make several payments between now and July, and I don't have to send it all in one lump sum. If you want to support me, though, you need to send your cheque (payable to Cancer Research UK) to me. This is because I have special paying in slips that are specific to my fund: they'd not know what the money was linked to otherwise! If you would like to sponsor me then please email me - for security reasons, I am reluctant to put my home address on the internet.

Can I sponsor you online?
Not yet, but I know that Cancer Research are looking into this possibility. As soon as I hear anything, it'll be on this site!

Are you still running the Race for Life?
Yep! If you want to see me looking all hot and bothered then come to the Guildford or Brighton race in 2003 (the dates haven't been set yet, and I haven't decided which one I'll do!).

Any other questions? If you have a query that's not answered here then please get in touch. Cheers!