Craig heads up Kilimanjaro to fund gifts for ill kids

PLAYSTATIONS, games, craft kits and teddy bears are among the gifts children who are too ill to be at home will receive on Christmas Day, thanks to a charity set up by a Stockton man.

Five years ago, Craig Collins and his wife Becky organised a fundraising night for friends who had cancer, who asked them to spend the proceeds on buying Christmas presents for patients staying at the children’s ward at University Hospital in Coventry.

The couple felt so good about what they did that they set up the Children’s Christmas Wish List charity, which has been providing smiles and delight on the ward every December ever since.

After jumping out of a plane and free-falling for 13,000ft to raise funds for the charity last year, Mr Collins started planning his next challenge - and it is now fast approaching. On December 1 he will begin a week-long trek up Africa’s highest mountain - Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

He said: “I thought, how you do you top jumping out of a plane? This seemed appropriate!

“I now have a personal trainer who is getting me fit and I climbed Snowdon in Wales two months ago. That was when I realised how hard Kilimanjaro was going to be.”

But for Mr Collins, who runs his own exhibition stands design business, the effort will be worth it. He said: “It’s amazing to be able to do what we do. The hospital has so many poorly kids - there is definitely a need.”

Days after returning from Tanzania, the 39-year-old will be hosting a charity event at the Royal Court in Coventry on December 17 to add to his fundraising total. Tickets cost £25, which includes a three-course meal, wine, band and disco.

To sponsor Mr Collins, buy tickets to the dinner or find out more about the charity, email [email protected] or visit http:// childrensxmaswishlist.org| childrensxmaswishlist.org}