“Hi, I’m Sanjesh, a Software Development Manager working in the City. I was born in Kenya but have lived in London for most of my life. I am married and have two sons.

Climbing Kilimanjaro will be an amazing experience, and I’m really looking forward to it.

A couple of years ago, my father was very ill and was diagnosed with cancer. It was a difficult time, but we were all so grateful for the support given to him and us by the palliative care nurses. So, helping to raise funds for St Luke’s would be a great way to say thank you.”

“Hi, I am Milan Dave, a passionate renewable energy professional residing in Harrow with my loving wife and beautiful daughter. Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro is something I have wanted to do for a very long time, and it will be both a truly remarkable and unforgettable experience, which I am excited to undertake with the support of my friends.

In my professional and personal life, I like to contribute positively, creating and leaving a positive legacy for people and the environment. To make the climb even more meaningful, I am fundraising for the amazing charity St Luke’s in Harrow and Brent. St Luke’s provides specialist end-of-life and palliative care to people in the area, enabling the best possible quality of life. I am honored to support St Luke’s in this way.”

“Hi, I am Jaymin Patel, a father to two teenage children and happily married to Sonal for over 25 years. We all live together in Harrow along with my father. As a family, we enjoy travelling and spending time together. In terms of my professional career, I am passionate about project management in the engineering sector as well as running my own business.

As the founder of a local badminton club almost 8 years ago, reaching the peak of Kilimanjaro will not only be the highest mountain I have ever climbed but will also provide me with a springboard to continue challenging myself physically and, more importantly, on mental well-being. This is something I have decided to prioritise in my life following episodes of panic attacks.

I lost my mother to cancer many years ago and will never forget the support provided by the NHS and the local hospice centre, especially during her last moments. Due to my history, it is only natural for me to support St Luke’s in Harrow and Brent as they provide specialist end-of-life and palliative care to people in the area during their most challenging times.”

“I am Rajiv Patel, a Chartered Certified Accountant from London specialising in the film and TV sector. I am married with two children.

I enjoy playing badminton and cricket, as well as watching a variety of sports. When time allows, I also love reading a good autobiography or immersing myself in a thrilling action film.

I have always been interested in hiking and find it relaxing; it brings one closer to nature, which is difficult to achieve in our fast-paced, high-tech lives. Therefore, the opportunity to climb Kilimanjaro was too good to miss.

My mum passed away from cancer at Northwick Park Hospital, which made me aware of the invaluable and challenging work carried out by the NHS and local hospices. To show my appreciation for the services provided by the NHS and local hospices, I have decided to support St Luke’s.”

“Hi, I’m Hiren Gandhi, father of two cricket-loving boys and husband to my fitness-enthusiast wife, Urvi. As a family, we have always enjoyed spending time together, whether it’s taking long walks or cycling along coastal paths. I am a committed adherent to the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and work as a professional IT consultant at an investment bank.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro offers both a challenging physical and mental accomplishment. The diverse scenery, from rainforests to glaciers, appeals to my love of nature. It also provides a chance for introspection and self-discovery, helping to build mental resilience away from daily distractions.

I recently lost my mother after a prolonged battle with cystic lung fibrosis. During her palliative care, she was looked after by nurses around the clock. I want to raise awareness and express my gratitude towards institutions like St Luke’s Hospice, which provide vital services when they are needed the most. Their compassionate care and support not only ease the suffering of patients but also offer invaluable comfort to families during challenging times.”

“Hi, I am Nikesh, a GP in Watford. I am originally from Mumbai and moved to Kenton in 2003, where I have lived ever since. I live with my wife and three children—two daughters and a son.

I am passionate about hiking and decided to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for my 50th birthday as a challenge. My mother survived a diagnosis of advanced ovarian cancer in 2011.

The general public should be aware of the vital end-of-life and palliative care services provided by St Luke’s Hospice. I would like to take this opportunity to raise funds for this essential service that our community needs.”

“Hello, I am Prakash Joshi, a Chartered Management Accountant in Harrow, London. I was born in Kenya and am married to a lovely and supportive wife of 32 years. I have two adult children, Dr Aakash and Anjali.

Hiking has always been my passion, and I am an active co-founder of the Desi Hikers Badminton Club, where I have organised many hikes across the UK. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro has been a childhood dream of mine, and I will embark on this venture in September 2024 on a self-funded trip, supported by my family and eight friends (or should I say, dragging them along) to achieve this lifelong dream.

While doing this, I wanted to make a difference to society. St Luke’s is a charity providing specialist end-of-life care. I fully support and endorse their services. In my eyes, they offer a service with love (Prem), truth (Satya), and compassion (Karuna)—the three pillars of my spiritual upbringing. St Luke’s, to me, is a place of care from the moment you step in. The professional atmosphere and support are cornerstones of their dedication and hard work, which I witnessed during my recent visit while choosing a charity to support alongside our Kilimanjaro climb.

I wish I had known about St Luke’s years ago when my family was going through difficult times with my mum’s breast cancer diagnosis and the prognosis of only a few weeks or months to survive. During those challenging times, we were considering employing an overseas nurse to care for my dear mum. St Luke’s would have been my first choice if I had known about such a service. Although my mum is no longer with us, I want to raise awareness of St Luke’s and similar organisations that provide such vital services when they are most needed.

Please help me and my team raise awareness and funds to support our parents, families, and friends, and make this world a better place to live.

God bless you all.”

“My name is Mitesh Kothari. In 2005, I moved from India to the UK with my beloved wife, Mamta, and our wonderful children, Radhe and Shubh. We own a logistics franchise, InXpress, in Harrow.

Never did I imagine that I would climb Kilimanjaro. This journey began when I joined a badminton group started by Jaymin. Inspired by Prakashbhai, we began hiking every year, which led to the creation of the Desi Hiking Badminton Club. Climbing Kilimanjaro, one of the most beautiful places on Earth, will be a transformative experience for us all.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is not just a personal challenge; it is an opportunity to support St Luke’s Hospice’s mission.

With our Thakorji’s blessings, I feel it is the right time to give back to society and support St Luke’s Hospice. Their dedication to providing compassionate care to terminally ill patients is truly remarkable. They ensure that patients are treated with dignity and respect in their final days, while also offering vital emotional and practical support to their families. St Luke’s Hospice is a beacon of hope.

I invite you to join me in supporting St Luke’s Hospice. Your support can make a significant impact, helping them to continue their mission of providing comfort, dignity, and support to patients and their families during the most challenging times.

Thank you for your support and for being a part of this journey with me.”

“Hi, I’m Rashmin Shah, an IT Specialist living in Kenton, Harrow, where I have spent most of my life. I was born in Moshi, Tanzania, home of Mount Kilimanjaro.

I’m married to an incredible wife and have a lovely daughter. Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro would be a dream come true, as I have vivid memories of its view from when I was about 3 years old. My friends from the Desi Hikers Badminton Club have been very supportive in helping me make this happen, as we have done a lot of hiking and trekking over the past four years across the Peak District, Lake District, and Scotland.

St Luke’s is a charity that provides specialist end-of-life care to people in Harrow. I fully support their services in the community.

Please help us raise awareness and funds to support this vital work and make our community a better place to live.”