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Watch the launch of the
appeal.

by Chris Hunter

The world needs more Frankys.

That was the message from Marie
Curie as kmfm announced its 2010 trek up Kilimanjaro in
aid of the cancer care charity this week.

Star of the launch at Kent
Messenger headquarters on Monday was Marie Curie nurse Franky
Henley, who is at the forefront of a campaign in Kent to raise
money for more nurses.

She spoke about her work to inspire
would-be fund-raisers to take on the charity trek up Africa's
highest peak from July 8 to July 17 2010.

Kmfm's head of radio Steve
Fountain - also the Kent patron of Marie Curie - is
inviting 35 others to join him on the epic climb, which
will pass through tropical,
alpine and polar zones on the way to the
16,700ft summit.

Mountain guide Connie Potter spoke
to those present at Monday's launch about what promises to be a
demanding yet exciting adventure through rainforests, alpine
meadows, barren scree slopes, and onto the snow capped summit.

She warned of the tough conditions
and potential dangers of altitude sickness, but spoke of the thrill
of completing the trek and watching the sunrise over Africa from
the continent’s highest point.

But it was nurse Franky's talk that
really inspired those present at the launch.

One of 26 Marie Curie nurses in
Kent, she gave a moving account of her work and reinforced the
purpose of the trek - to raise money for more nurses in the
county.

She said: "We all want to be loved;
that’s the crux of it. Patients have to cope with loss of work,
loss of identity, loss off health and ultimately loss of life.

"People say I don’t know how you do
that work. To me it’s more like how can I not do it?

"One of the hardest things is when
I’ve been with someone one night and am not able to be there the
next night. It’s very difficult to know I’ve gone somewhere and the
next night there’s an elderly frail gentleman who has to get up in
the night to change his wife’s clothes."

To take part in this demanding
expedition you’ll need to pay an entry fee of £350 upon
registration and raise a minimum of £3,750 in sponsorship. You’ll
also need to have a high level of health and fitness and training
for the journey is essential. Entrants will be provided with a
training guide.

If you’re interested in taking on this challenge and would like to
learn more about the Trek route, itinerary and requirements just
call 0870 340040 or visit www.kmfm.co.uk