Andover Advertiser - 11 December, 2009 - Page 4

After a successful event my Kilimanjaro Christmas Fundraiser made me a page 4 girl in Andover's weekly local paper The Andover Advertiser! With a whole page dedicated to my event!

The page is full of photo's with four year old Franklin Merritt, who I help teach Kickboxing to, trying to guess the weight of the backpack I will be carrying up Kilimanjaro. Myself with both of my Auntie's, one of which made the cakes we are holding to sell at the event. Harry Ward one of the Kickboxing students taking part in the sponsored Kick-A-Thon Challenge and Sam Connolly getting her face painted by Kate!
Also a write up about the event as follows

Peak Challenge
An afternoon of fundraising was held on Saturday in aid of Andover's Countess of Brecknock Hospice.
The event, which raised £519.66 for the hospice, was organised by Andover's Melissa Tucker who will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in the new year, also in aid of the hospice.
There was a varitey of activities at the fundraiser, held at John Hanson Community School, including a sponsored Kickbox-A-Thon where children managed a massive 13,069 kicks and punches in just two hours.
Sponsorship money for that event is still coming in.
As well as name-the-teddy competiotion Melissa was also encouraging people to test their measuring skills by guessing the weight of her backpack which she will be wearing during her mountain climb.
There was also Nail Painting, massages, a lucky dip, face painting, a raffle, portrait sitting and a hot air balloon prize draw.
Mr Takle, instructor from the Andover branch of Matt Fiddes martial Arts School, which organised the kickboxing event, decided to go the extra mile for the fundraising by volunteering to have his legs waxed.
Melissa decided to raise money for The Countess of Brecknock Hospice because her grandmother spent a few days there before her death in 2007. ''They cared for her so well and were a great support to my family, especially my grandad,'' said Melissa.
If anyone wants to sponsor Melissa for her mountain climb visit www.justgiving.com/melissa-tucker.

Thank you to everyone who helped me organise and run the event. Thank you to everyone who came. Thank you to everyone who spent their money to donate to the hospice.

Thank you also to The Andover Advertiser!