EMS Sigma Ltd's JoiningJack Page

We're currently spreading the word and fundraising on behalf of JoiningJack! Check out our JustGiving page here: https://www.justgiving.com/joiningjackems/ And JoiningJack's website here: http://joiningjack.org

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Even more pics from Roy's Kili climb + African Trek!

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Come help EMS and Outdoor Trip attempt a World Record!! All proceeds to go to Joining Jack!

Also, if you're the adventurous type, why not get involved with our Everest Base Camp Trek??

If, like me (!), you'd rather help in a less adrenalin pumping fashion, visit our JustGiving page: https://www.justgiving.com/joiningjackems and help raise DMD Awareness from the comfort and warmth of your sofa! Thanks :)

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More pics from Roy's Kili Climb + Serengeti camping trip!

More photos from Roy's African Adventure! We're so jealous we weren't there to see all that beautiful scenery...

<-- The Champion shot @ Uhuru!

Once again we would like to say a big 'WELL DONE' to Roy for his commitment to Joining Jack's cause!

We are still taking donations for Joining Jack and in the New Year there will be more to come!

To help us raise more money for Joining Jack please visit https://www.justgiving.com/joiningjackems - Thank you!

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The first photo of Roy's Kilimanjaro climb!

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Come one, come all, to the EMS Sigma Charity Ball!

All proceeds from the Ball will go to Joining Jack as part of our on-going fundraising for them! For more information, either message us on here or call us on 01925 837 111 - Cheers!

To help our continuing efforts for Joining Jack, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/joiningjackems

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Mount Kilimanjaro has been conquered!

Roy Davies completed his climb up Kilimanjaro last week! He was 1 of 5 in his group who succeeded, with many having failed.

Mount Kilimanjaro from the bottom - a scary prospect!

Roy said of his climb; "My guide kept saying 'Imara Cuba Simba' - Strong Like Lion! I felt more like a mouse on that hill. It was the hardest thing I have ever done and will never attempt again, excluding Teide of course!" It was an amazing experience for him; one that he is proud to have took part in, especially as it was to raise funds for Joining Jack.

Soon after he returned to the bottom, he was off to the middle of nowhere to complete a 50 mile trek in the Serengeti and Ngorogoro! “It will be a different challenge but I won't compare it to the climb, the hard bit is done,” Roy said. “The biggest challenge is I miss my kids and partner so much it hurts, but I know I have to try and not wish the days away.”

Roy will be back in the UK this weekend with lots of pictures and more anecdotes that we will share with you. For now, we’d just like to say a huge ‘Well Done’ to Roy and the 4 others who completed the climb with him!

A bit more about Joining Jack:

Charity Registration No. 1148156

The charity Joining Jack has the ultimate aim of finding a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. If a cure can be found or treatment discovered to increase life expectancy, it will not only help Jack, but boys throughout the world suffering from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

We will be continuing our fundraising efforts through to May 2013 - Roy's still to climb Mount Teide! - so, if you would like to help us and Jack, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/joiningjackems to make a donation. Thank you.

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Fundraising Update!

We've had 25 donations totalling £515 pound for Joining Jack Thank you very much to everyone who has contributed so far!

We still need to raise a lot more in order to make a difference.

Joining Jack’s mission is to relieve the needs of sufferers of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by funding research into methods of treatment and cure of the condition as there is currently very little awareness of DMD, and research into finding possible treatments is drastically underfunded.

Andrew + Alex Johnson's son, Jack, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) in November 2011. Since Jack’s diagnosis, they have cried every day and have spent endless hours scouring the internet to find answers.

At the moment Jack’s condition will follow a predetermined path; He will gradually become weaker until he can no longer walk, probably by the time he reaches adolescence. By the time he is nine he will be relying on the use of a wheelchair for significant parts of the day. As the condition progresses he will lose the use of his other muscles, he will require ventilation, assistance with feeding himself, and he will become a paraplegic. The average life expectancy of Jack, and other boys with DMD, is 25 years. There are a few exceptions of people who have lived longer, and many who have not reached this age.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is one of the most common fatal genetic disorders to affect children around the world. Approximately one in every 3,500 boys worldwide is afflicted with DMD, with 20,000 new cases reported each year in the developed world.

Please visit our JustGiving page, and share with your friends and family, to help us make a difference: www.justgiving.com/joiningjackems

Thank you.

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Roy's first message from Tanzania

We've had our first message off Roy since he landed in Tanzania, sounds like he's having an amazing time already!

"OK, I have settled into African culture, met rest of group today - a mix of Germans Canadians and Scots, seem like a good bunch. A few of us walked in to Moshi earlier today. Very humble place and a lot of poverty apparent. Spent most of my time walking around the markets. Tanzanians are really friendly and the weather today reached 42c! We have just had briefing off our 'Chief Experience Officer' - there were a few daunted faces when he finished; it's not going to be easy! I will be fine, I'm sure. I've just packed my rucksack and I'm ready to go. I will be down off mountain next Tuesday so will update then. Thanks everyone for your kind words and support!

Roy"

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Kilimanjaro climb starts!

Roy will be beginning his trek up Mount Kilimanjaro today!

It will take his 6 days and 7 nights to complete his climb, with his descent starting on the 20th.

Everyone at EMS Sigma are wishing him all the luck in the world - Don't give up, Roy, and keep safe!

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Roy's Snowdon + Hell Up North pictures!!

We now have Roy's victory pictures from his Snowdon climb last month! The weather was fairly dismal but everyone kept in good spirits during the 3,560 ft climb, even Bryn the dog managed to keep his tail wagging! It was a fabulous day with wonderful people, and it brought home how challenging Kilimanjaro will be this month!

Roy had to compose himself somewhat before being ready for pictures but soon found his smile:

Not satisfied with having climbed one of the tallest Mountains in Britain, Roy decided to challenge himself with Hell Up North 2012 in Delamere Forest at the weekend!

The Brooks HellRunner is over multi-terrain, with varying underfoot conditions - mainly mud! There were running tracks and trails, water-filled areas and plenty of steep hills - Roy got incredibly wet and muddy! Starting at 10:00 on Saturday 3rd Nov, The Brooks HellRunner was nature at its toughest and was approximately 12 miles long.

Roy completed Hellrunner in 2 hours, coming 300th out of 3000 - well done, Roy! Craig Connor, Roy's personal trainer, also took part and finished in the top 20!

As expected, Roy is a bit knackered but will be continuing his training for the big Kilimanjaro climb on Monday 12th November.

All this effort is being put towards fundraising for JoiningJack and it will all be for nothing if he can't raise the funds that the charity deserve. To help Roy and support his cause, please visit his JustGiving page to donate!

Thank you.

For info on Brooks HellRunner and their events, visit: http://www.hellrunner.co.uk/

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Mount Kilimanjaro view from above! 

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More exciting fundraising events coming!

Whilst Roy is incredibly busy training for his upcoming Kilimanjaro climb, we've been busy thinking of ways to help raise further funds for Joining Jack!

Well, we have quite a few things in the pipeline now; The Royal Marines will hopefully be doing an abseiling challenge for us in the new year, we will be joining forces with Outdoor Trip on February 16th 2013 to attempt a World Record, one of our team will be doing the London to Paris bike ride in May 2013 (see his story here: Martin's JJ Page), and plans are well under way for our glamourous Ball on 10th May 2013 @ The Crown Plaza in Liverpool!

Please help us raise as many funds as possible, and support Roy in his Kilimanjaro climb, by visiting our JustGiving page.

Thank you, we're so excited!

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Snowdon has been conquered!

<-- Snowdon: Not necessarily how it looked today

Roy decided he was too excited to have to wait until the 28th to climb Snowdon so he did it today! He and Bryn the dog successfully reached the summit this afternoon and are suitably exhausted...As it was a last minute decision to change the date, I have yet to receive pictures but I shall have them soon!

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Roy was interviewed by the Warrington Guardian regarding his Kilimanjaro climb for Joining Jack! Click the link to have a read

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Fundraising Update - End of Week Two!

Two weeks have flown by and we have raised £200 for Joining Jack. A massive 'Thank you' to everyone who has donated so far!

We still need to raise a lot more though in order to make a difference, however.

JoiningJack’s mission is to relieve the needs of sufferers of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by funding research into methods of treatment and cure of the condition as there is currently very little awareness of DMD, and research into finding possible treatments is drastically underfunded.

Andrew Johnson (ex-Wigan Warriors player) and his wife’s son, Jack, was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) in November 2011. Since Jack’s diagnosis, they have cried every day and have spent endless hours scouring the internet to find answers.

At the moment Jack’s condition will follow a predetermined path; He will gradually become weaker until he can no longer walk, probably by the time he reaches adolescence. By the time he is nine he will be relying on the use of a wheelchair for significant parts of the day. As the condition progresses he will lose the use of his other muscles, he will require ventilation, assistance with feeding himself, and he will become a paraplegic. The average life expectancy of Jack, and other boys with DMD, is 25 years. There are a few exceptions of people who have lived longer, and many who have not reached this age.

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is one of the most common fatal genetic disorders to affect children around the world. Approximately one in every 3,500 boys worldwide is afflicted with DMD, with 20,000 new cases reported each year in the developed world.

Please visit our JustGiving page, and share with your friends and family, to help us make a difference: www.justgiving.com/joiningjackems

Thank you.

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Roy's 20 mile walk to Burwardsley

Although tiring, Roy's first big trek from Frodsham to Burwardsley was an enjoyable one. Due to the rain actually holding off, it was a lovely day and the scenery was fantastic.

It took him a little longer than anticipated but Roy finally made it to The Pheasant pub in Burwardsley at about 17:17 Tuesday evening; he and Bryn the dog were exhausted!

Roy will be continuing his training solidly to prepare for his first climb - Snowdon - which he will now be doing on Sunday 28th October. Bryn, however, may just have a pint:

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Just set off with 15 kg backpack with Bryn the dog - he's tiring already! Weather great!

Roy Davies, on the Sandstone Trail this morning