Paul with Simone & Alessandra

During the month of April, I did an amazing walk in Italy with Alessandra..We walked from the Vatican, over the Appenine Mountains, to the East Coast - 350kms in total, with 8500m of climbing. Alessandra is 19 years old, and has Down’s Syndrome. She trained for 6 months for this journey.

In August, Simone (age12) and I did a gruelling hike up to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Undoubtedly tougher than we expected, and I was so impressed with how Simone just kept going despite suffering from altitude sickness (she had plenty of opportunities to halt this climb). After 6 days climbing, we started our summit hike at midnight, walking up to the peak in 7 hours, and then after a short break, a further 6 hours walking downhill.

We are raising money for 4 worthy causes:
1. Down Syndrome Association https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/
The Down’s Syndrome Association supports people who have Down’s syndrome, and their parents and carers, throughout their lives

2. Electric Eels Swimming group https://electriceels.org.uk/
Electric Eels is a family orientated swimming club specifically for children (over 8) & adults with Down Syndrome

3. National Autistic Society https://www.autism.org.uk/
The National Autistic Society is a charity for autistic people and their families in the United Kingdom

4. Hope Valley School, South Africa https://hopevalleyschool.org/
A rural primary school based in South Africa, providing an education to a community of farm labourers’ children.

Note: if you would prefer to only donate to Hope Valley School, please visit this link:
https://www.givewheel.com/fundraising/8452/simone-climbing-kilimanjaro-for-hope-valley-school/

I will continue to update social media along the way
https://www.facebook.com/paul.plewman.7
https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-plewman-01405311/
https://www.instragram.com/paulplewman