Mark Rix MBA

Mark is Deputy Managing Director of the Manchester Evening News and along with Paul Horrocks (Co-climber and MEN Editor) is a patron of Kirsty's Appeal for Francis House.

Mark, who is married to Debra and has a 17 year old daughter called Chloe, has this to say about the fund raising climb up Kilimanjaro.

"It is scandalous that people have to do these things to raise money for such deserving causes. Government funding of Francis House represents only 4% per annum of the required finance, so 348 days each year are supported via voluntary donations and fundraising. Government, whether local or central, should sort themselves out and ensure that all hospices caring for terminally ill children and their families are properly funded in perpetuity. Until such time, we aim to help in some small way to raise awareness of Kirsty's Appeal and generate much needed funds as we move closer to the £5million required to secure the future of Francis House Children's Hospice. It is Kirsty's 10th birthday in September this year and we hope that our efforts go some way to helping both Kirsty and Susie Mathis, along with all the wonderful staff and carers at the hospice, realise their £5million target, with only £1.4m left to raise it is a distinct possibility. What a 10th birthday present that would be! "

Paul Horrocks

Paul, 51,has been the editor of the Manchester Evening News since June 1997. He is married to Linda and they have four children , Joanne , Zach , Ben and Victoria. Paul is also the Editor in Chief of Manchester Metro News.

" My family have given me fantastic support for this trek , helping me with training and buying equipment and books. I have been involved with Francis House for a number of years and it is a truly inspirational place. You only have to spend a short time there to realise what special people work there - and how much they are appreciated by all the children and their parents. We have to ensure the long term future of Francis House , that is what the fund raising is all about. We have had marvellous support from business sponsors , readers and online users who have sent cash contributions. The business community of Greater Manchester have been generous. Thanks to all of them.

" The Kilimanjaro trek will raise the hospice profile even further, especially with Kirsty's name at the front , and I know it will be the hardest physical challenge I have ever faced . My daily diary might get a bit shorter as we near the summit ! "

Phil Davenport

Age - 49 on 5th aug!! flight day
Occupation - fireman

Phil is married with one 17 year old son

Interests
triathlon
endurance racing
any challenge that someone says "you cant do that!"
history
music
motor bikes
hangin out on outrageous training walks like the 3 peaks..... just a stroll he says

Dave Healey

Age 36 (but feels much younger). Deputy Postal Manager at the Manchester Evening News. Married to Jacqueline and has one daughter called Charlotte.
Hobbies include cycling, running, walking, Gym etc. After completing Lands End John O'Groats epic cycling marathon in 2004, I am relishing the opportunity of a new / fantastic challenge, and most important of all, raising vital funds to secure the future of Francis House Children's Hospice.

"Her indoors thinks I am stark raving bonkers and has insisted I take out an extra insurance policy, before we jet off!"

Francis
Francis belongs to Ian Marshall's daughter Laura and is his lucky mascot, he has accompanied Ian on most of his challenges and was so named by Dave Healey's daughter Charlotte, during last years Lands end -John o' Groats epic cycle ride.He rode the full distance (976 miles)with Ian on his bike. This year he has joined the team again and has been on every training climb with the boys. These include Scafel, Skiddaw, Helvelyn, Snowdon to name just a few .He is proud to be associated with the Kirsty appeal and is sure that Kilimanjaro will be the "high point" of his fund raising experiences.

Hervey Magnall

Hervey owns and runs The Fisherman's Retreat, a popular country restaurant near Ramsbottom, with his wife Michele and three children, Samantha, Hervey Jnr and James. Hervey is no stranger to hard work, having built The Fisherman's 14 years ago with his family. His great love is farming and he farms cattle, pigs, red deer, lambs and rainbow trout which are all reared for use in the restaurant.

Hervey has raised quite a large amount of money over the years for his local hospice, and he is now looking forward to the challenge of the Kilimanjaro Climb and the much needed funds it will raise to help safeguard the future of Francis House.
'I would like to sincerely thank all my friends and customers who have generously sponsored me and shown great support for this project. I have been training hard and am eagerly anticipating this trip.'
Hervey has travelled to many parts of the world, but this will be his first visit to East Africa.

Dave Rix

Studious and slightly deranged younger brother of the inimitable Mark Rix of the M.E.N.
An ex-detective police Inspector, currently finalising studies to become a solicitor with a firm operating out of Cape Town, South Africa.
Loves a challenge and seems to fill his life with them. He has wanted to climb this mountain for some time now... and now is the right time and for the right reason.
Took part in the world's largest cycle race, the Cape Argus, in 2000, with a team of 24 men riding the world's largest tricycle over a distance of 112km to raise money for the South African Cancer Association.
This time the pain and agony is for the kids, for Kirsty and Francis House.
Honoured to be taking part...just hopes he's not one of the porters!!

Phil Tonge

Ian Marshall

Ian lives in Wigan and works for Royal Mail, he is married to Sheila and has 2 children, Laura (19) and Richard (17).

He has competed in many charity fund raising events over the years, including 5 London marathons, 2 Great North Runs, The Uk 3 Peaks 24hour challenge( Ben Nevis, Scafel,and Snowdon) all for local charities.He was particularly proud to be part of last years M.E.N. Lands end - John o' Groats cycle epic and is equally proud to be ascociated with the Kirsty appeal and Francis house,and hopes that this year's efforts will help to finally hit the £5 million mark and really make a difference.

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