Climb a mountain… take a hike…walk the Pacific Crest Trail…run a 10K…set a new personal record at the climbing gym…

Whatever your idea of a challenge is, Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up will help turn it into a fundraiser with 100% of the proceeds going to help African children with AIDS. When I first came across this group, I wrote about it and got a lot of positive feedback. Now they are challenging all Hiking Lady readers to participate and set up our own mini-fundraisers!

In December 2010, a team of women climbers from the U.S. and Canada are headed to Africa to summit Mount Kilimanjaro! They’re going to attempt to reach the 19,000 summit, and by doing so raise money for Climb Up So Kids Can Grow Up! Climbing mountains is remarkable, but helping needy children is even more impressive.

Let’s help sick children by doing something we love! Hiking, cycling, climbing, running…!

Ways to participate:

Hiking Lady readers are dispersed all over the world, so organizing our own event would be a logistical nightmare. But the staff at Climb Up have enabled us to create a Team Hiking Lady challenge – together we can work together to raise money for a great cause.

On September 18 and 19, people all over the world are going to be participating in Climb Up The World team and individual challenges, to raise money for Climb Up. This is completely flexible so you can do your “challenge” on those days, or beforehand.

• Plan a personal challenge. It can be a solo endeavor, or with a group.
• Sign up under the “Team Hiking Lady” fundraising page (here are step-by-step instructions)
• If you don’t want to set up a challenge, help by donating under “Team Hiking Lady“. Donations are tax-deductible!

Special perks for Hiking Lady readers!

The friendly staff at Climb Up have secured lots of top name brands to sponsor the charity, and they are able to use that to encourage people like us to sign up for events! Pretty cool, huh?

• Every Hiking Lady participant that raises over $50 receives a free Climb Up t-shirt!
• The top Team Hiking Lady participant will receive a free pair of Ahnu shoes!
• Because we will have a sizeable number of participants, they have reduced the registration fee from $25 to $10. The registration fee covers ALL expenses, including mailing the t-shirts to you, their marketing costs, etc., so all of the money raised can be used for the charity.

Happy trails! I’m glad we can have fun a help a great cause!