Charities Trust

So, after (just one of many)drunken conversations over a pub supper somewhere in deepest, darkest Cumbria (there's nowt else to do, ok?) I agreed/was coerced into climbing up Snowdon in aid of The Costa Foundation by my good friend and Costa franchisee, Kay Berry. Her enthusiasm for the project, which aims to establish schools in the communities responsible for producing the coffee used by Costa in their stores, was more than enough to convince me this was a worthwhile way to spend a Sunday. That, and the bottle of Rose I'd just polished off with my tea! Joking aside though, I was genuinely taken with the idea that this is a project which privileges education over handouts, thereby taking the 'long view' in aiming to build communities which are self sustaining. Check out the link below to find out more. Anyone who knows me will be aware that, despite my love of mountains and boundless enthusiasm for walking, I'm sh*t scared of heights, smoke like a chimney and drink like a fish (that's what got me into this - remember?), so success is never a foregone conclusion when I set out to tackle vertiginous peaks! That said I've been putting my lazy student summer to good use and have spent many aimless days traversing Lake District summits with companions of varying degrees of willingness, but more often than not it’s just been me my seven year old Labrador cross, Harley. Much as I would have loved him to accompany me on this particular trip (as much for the awww factor and increased sponsorship which was sure to result from it as for anything else) I decided the walk plus the seven hour round trip in the car might just be a bit much for him on this occasion. So it’ll just be Kay and I setting off from Brampton at 6am on Sunday morning (and being joined by around 88 other participants once we get there) for the drive down to Wales and ensuing hike up to the highest point in England and Wales. You can wish me luck if you like, but I’d much rather you have a gander at the website, familiarise yourself with what it is The Costa Foundation is all about, and give lots of money (or just whatever you can, obviously) to what is a really brilliant cause. Many, many heartfelt thanks. Jodie

www.costa.co.uk/foundation