Eureka

So there it is, the Eureka Tower.  In just over 7months I will tackle climb to the top of the highest building in Australia via the Fire Escape.  It has 1674 stairs and I'm happy to say I'll be doing the climb with my good friend Debbie Shiell.  

Debbie will be a fantastic person to have alongside me as we climb those stairs one by one.  Debbie comes with great credentials.  In May 2007, Debbie left behind her home in Melbourne to trek 385km across the Simpson Desert with three friends. And in doing so they raised more than $115,000 to go towards National Breast Cancer Foundation research. 


This time Debbie and I will work together to raise money for Interplast, an incredible organisation.  For over 30 years, Interplast has worked in 25 countries and implemented over 600 surgical and allied health medical program activities across the Asia Pacific region. They provide free reconstructive surgery for patients who would otherwise not be able to afford access to such services and empower local medical personnel by building their capacity to act independently. They have supported over 70 surgeons and nurses to continue part of their training in Australia, sent over 600 volunteers on medical programs, provided over 37,000 consultations and performed over 21,000 life-changing operations.   It will be an incredible privilege to support this great organisation.


I am also so proud to have the support and encouragement from Canadian Blipper and marathon runner - Subjunctive (Paula Banks).  Paula has been mentoring me for the past ten weeks now and it is just fantastic to think that a friend on the other side of the world would take such an interest in our challenge.

So the challenge is on for the young and the old - just have to come up with a creative "Team Name" for the two of us and we're off and climbing!!  Any suggestions will be gratefully received :-)