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| The team sponsored by Dedicated Micros successfully reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in five days |
The Mount Kilimanjaro fundraising effort was timed to coincide with Prostate Cancer Awareness Month (March), a condition which is now the most common type of cancer in men.
A team of five UCARE supporters, including Michael Heal who persuaded Dedicated Micros to sponsor their efforts - in exchange for unfurling the company's flag - scaled the mountain in an impressive five days. This is much faster than some of the celebrity attempts now in the media spotlight. Once at the highest point, the Uhuru Peak on the crater rim, Michael and some of the local guides were able to display the DM flag, which he had brought all the way from the UK for the occasion.
Said Michael Heal: "We are delighted that Dedicated Micros offered their support to UCARE as a corporate sponsor of our Mount Kilimanjaro climb. In DM's case donating £250, on the condition that we took their flag right up to the summit. It is vitally important that we are able to raise the profile of UCARE and its work. We are particularly keen to build on-going relationships with companies such as Dedicated Micros and their employees. UCARE can visit businesses to give presentations on urological cancers, highlight the warning signs and where to obtain further advice on these conditions. This is also supported with literature and other materials available on our website."
The Dedicated Micros sponsored UCARE team - which has just returned to the UK - began its climb on Monday 16 February.
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| UCARE seeks to raise awareness of potentially life-threatening urological cancers |
"Most days involved walking for 6 - 9 hours and then sleeping in tents on the slopes of the mountain with temperatures dropping markedly after reaching 3,000 metres. Not only were the long hours of walking on the ascent arduous but the effects of altitude sickness began to kick in from about 3,000 metres with some of the party beginning to feel nauseous and slightly light-headed.
"Three nights of restless sleeping in tents also took their toll as we prepared to attack the summit. This required leaving camp at 11.30 pm on the Thursday night and walking very slowly, with head torches on, up the winding trail towards Gilman's Peak, our first objective, which we reached at about 7.15 pm, just after dawn.
"The guides then checked everyone to make sure that they were fit enough for the last push to Uhuru Peak, another 1.5 - 2 hours trek around the rim of the crater. Altitude sickness can be fatal and the guides cannot take any risks. We made the peak, where we took a picture with the DM flag at 10.10 a.m. The temperature was minus 15 C and the wind was blowing a gale!"
Comments Nigel Petrie, Chairman of Dedicated Micros: "This is an extremely worthy cause. At Dedicated Micros we are pleased to be able to support UCARE's efforts and are delighted with the success of the expedition to Kilimanjaro. I met Michael at The Rugby Union Writers Dinner early this year which he was hosting - he is also a member of the Rugby Union Writers Club - and it gave me an opportunity to find out more about their ongoing efforts to raise awareness regarding urological cancers, which often don't receive the attention they deserve. The human side of UCARE's work was also much in evidence at the dinner, specifically the attendance of former British Lion and England rugby player Andy Ripley who is currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer."