Guest Blogger: Rhys Greedy: Kilimanjaro for the Kids

Firstly, a big thankyou to SCHF for giving me the opportunity to contribute to their page and tell a little more of the story behind my current project, Kilimanjaro for the Kids. Although the start of this journey only dates back to September last year, it has been an overwhelming response and action plan by all involved over the past 8 months for this campaign to get to where it is now. But to start from the beginning....

Rhys in the French Alps, 2015

July 2015 – I had just returned back into Australia from an expedition in the French Alps, in which I successfully reached the summit of Mont Blanc at 4810m elevation. A personal tick off the bucket list yes, but also in the process of training for this feat had managed to raise almost $15,000 towards Lymphoma Australia, an organisation close to me as I personally battled Hodgkin Lymphoma back in 2009. I could feel that within myself, something felt quite lost as the weeks progressed following the conclusion of this campaign and also the physical challenge of the climb, which was almost a 12 month preparation (including a 3 week trip to Nepal to try and accustom my body to the symptoms of altitude and extreme cold etc). It was hard to find any sort of motivation going from 100-0 and after such a publicised effort had reached its end all of a sudden. With the help of good friend and then PT out of Goodlife Health Club Caloundra, Ryan O’Neil, I took part in a 6 week challenge to try and find my mojo. To be honest it had little effect on me, I should have been pleased about the drop in body fat percentage (6.5%) and strength maintained in the gym, however for me these are goals that provide little to no satisfaction in the bigger picture. I have never been one to want to train just to look the part, if there is no genuine level of fitness behind it then what is the point? That may offend some, but I had a complete mind switch following my cancer diagnosis and have strived to push myself physically in areas of training that the norm don’t like to take part in, not just aim to achieve muscle hypertrophy and an ego boost.

September 2015 – At this point, I was smack bang in the middle of my toughest uni semester as a studying paramedic student, and also still trying to find the desire I so easily maintained for an extended period during my Trek Towards a Cure Campaign. At around the same time, a few mates and I started to toss up the idea of locking in a trip together for 2016. It was nice to have this conversation, travelling solo over to Europe to tackle what I did would have been so much more enjoyable with someone else. The conversation quickly turned to Africa, and more specifically Mount Kilimanjaro. At 5895m, it is the highest peak on the continent, 1 of the 7 summits, and the tallest free standing mountain on earth. To explain that, Kili is not part of any mountain range, such as the Himalayas or the Andes, so its height stands alone. 4 guys (including myself) began to nut out availability and possible companies to lock the trip in through, however a much more important element of the trip came into conversation, and that was to find a local charity to coincide with what we intended to achieve. I set out to find a suitable someone/group/organisation to team up with and make this experience more worthwhile, rather than to just come back with personal satisfaction of conquering another mountain. For some reason, I was drawn to walk through the doors of Nambour General Hospital one day and seek out a ward to offer my assistance with a fundraising effort. Initially, the idea of sticking with the theme of cancer and assisting those who I knew all too well were going through seemed appropriate. However on my way to the oncology ward, my eyes caught a sign reading ‘Ward 2F West – Paediatrics’.

Meeting some of the kids at Ward 2F West, Nambour Hospital

I straight away changed direction and headed over to this ward; and entering the doors with a hat on backwards, singlet and board shorts the first glance a nurse gave me didn’t exactly give off a good first impression! A brief conversation followed, and I was met with more surprised and confused looks as I described my intentions of going to Africa to trek up a mountain, and raising enough money to upgrade some of the electronics gear in the ward and also give them a boost in the funds that are utilised for music, yoga and other therapies for the young patients. From there I was linked up with Sunshine Coast Wishlist Foundation, who have played an integral part in providing for Ward 2F West, and I guess the rest is history! Fast forward to this point now and all that was a simple idea has blown out into a Sunshine Coast wide community effort. The number of local businesses that jumped on board from the moment I first released a video displaying my intentions has been very humbling; from having a donations tin on the counter to hosting an event. Awareness through social media and also local media (92.7 Mix FM, WIN News and Sunshine Coast Daily) has helped spread the word and increase the number of donations tenfold. A result of this was the opportunity months in advance to walk through the doors of the ward and surprise the staff and young patients with everything that I had originally set out to donate to them. A 58 inch LCD TV, Xbox One console with games and extra controller, 10 portable DVD players and 50 DVD’s, 10 Samsung Galaxy Tablets which are in the process of getting 12 months WiFi access within the ward, plus more! And it doesn’t stop there, with more money rolling in and a few more events on the way, I also intend to present the Ward with a $10,000 cheque to boost the funds for what I previously mentioned. As time has gone on with this campaign, during certain periods I have become quite emotional in seeing how close the community bands together to help those in need.

One of the many community fundraising efforts, Mt Coolum Climb organised by Kai Chase

This isn’t a ploy to have myself placed on a pedestal or be seen as some sort of hero, I am simply abiding by the saying ‘you haven’t lived until you have given something to someone who can never repay you’. The motives behind this campaign strike far deeper than just the smiles on faces when I surprised the ward with all of those goods, or receiving a hug or handshake from a complete stranger who have been following this journey. It’s a character building stepping stone that I feel has been needed in my life for a long time. I very easily shook off my own diagnosis of Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2009 when deemed in remission, returned to work in the Army and thought nothing of how my position could benefit others, and reach out to those in similar circumstances who would get so much hope out of someone like me telling them ‘you are going to get through this’. Walking the Kokoda Trail in 2014, I had a sudden desire to want to return from that trip and make a difference in people’s lives, and that’s exactly how I have tried to live, that’s right live not exist, my life since then. Once this journey wraps up, I have no doubt in the near future another one will be planned for next year or the following, a simple combination of a physical challenge and a local initiative, it sure can create waves.

In terms of physical preparation, I am always one that would rather be over prepared for a physical challenge such as Mount Kilimanjaro, than not. I began my first training steps in November, and have progressed to the point now where a personal 12 week program I am almost through will see my body in the best shape of its life for the challenge to be undertaken. I am often asked what is required physically to ensure success on these sorts of ventures, and to me it’s very simple, lungs and legs. Strengthening lower limb and respiratory endurance has been key in my training program week to week; with a range of HIIT sessions, hill sprints, pack marches with elevation mask, leg isolation workouts, and soft sand endurance sessions all involved. Keeping on top of the mental battle during my training has proved crucial, like anyone I sometimes have doubts creeping in and its necessary to shake those thoughts. My trainer and mentor out of Tribal MMA, Paul Birch, has been a pivotal part in keeping my head in the game. I can’t thank him enough for picking out when things for me feel too hard with this campaign, and always reminding me why I am doing it….. ‘For the Kids’…

Rhys and his mentor Paul Birch from Tribal MMA

The remaining 9 weeks of Kilimanjaro for the Kids will see hopefully a big boost in the ever growing pool of funds that have been coming in since the donations link was created. I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart of their generosity, by seeing face to face within the ward the happiness that has been brought through those precious funds. On July 2nd, myself and 6 others will start the journey over to Tanzania, where 5895m of harsh terrain, extreme temperatures and high altitude awaits. I have no doubt the success of that summit will be brought on not by personal strengths or goals, but having the bigger picture of standing at the top and holding up our banner to represent the Coast’s youngest patients and the fulfilling 10 months that began with only a small idea…

Rhys Greedy
#KilimanjarofortheKids