Name:
Mouhammed Choukeir

Interests:
Politics, Dabkeh, Poker, Marathons, Basketball

Fundraising achievements:
Raised awareness of and money for Lebanon in many capacities: Founder and President of Arabic Youth at Kings; Vice President of the Lebanese Graduates of Britain; and Governor of Centre for Lebanese Studies. Raised over $50k by running for Lebanon.

What I will miss when I’m on the mountain:
My loved ones (they know who they are!), and Magic.

Why I am doing this challenge:
I have always believed that if you put your mind to something you can do it. Climbing Kilimanjaro is the latest in a series of personal challenges for me, which I hope will inspire others to push themselves to realise their dreams. I am doing this for Lebanon because I believe passionately that Lebanon has a huge amount of untapped potential that needs to be brought out. It is up to people like us, members of the Diaspora with the ability to make a difference, to seize the opportunity to do so.

Name:
Kheiry Sammakieh

Interests:
Scuba Diving, Trekking, Philanthropy

Fundraising achievements:
As a committee member of Lebanon United, I have spearheaded many projects raising over $100k working in collaboration with many multinational sponsors such as UBS, Credit Suisse & Barclays Capital.

What I will miss when I’m on the mountain:
Family & Base Camp

Why I am doing this challenge:
I have entered a "now or never" period in my life. You are only young once, so if there's a time to challenge yourself physically and mentally, it is now. I am doing this for Lebanon, to bring awareness to my country. I hope, with my team mates, to plant our nation’s flag at the top of Mt Kilimanjaro.

Name:
Hani Al-Omari

Interests:
Basketball, Film, Guitar, Photography, Capoeira

Fundraising achievements:
I organised a few fundraising events for Lebanese charities such as "Give a Child a Toy" and "Lebanon United". These included dinners, auctions and even a poker tournament.

What I will miss when I’m on the mountain:
My bed

Why I am doing this challenge:
Last summer’s tragedy in Lebanon, and subsequent events, were a wake up call to all Lebanese. Though we have come far over the last decade or so, the country is still in a fragile state. We can’t afford to rest on our laurels. It is imperative that those of us living abroad come together to help Lebanon. The best way to ensure a prosperous future for the country is to provide educational facilities for the young so that the mistakes of the past aren’t repeated.

Name:
Seif Sammakieh

Interests:
Water sports, Reading, Traveling

Fundraising achievements:
Supported an organization that helps local orphanages, and under-privileged families.

What I will miss when I’m on the mountain:
My bathroom!

Why I am doing this challenge:
This is a great way to raise money for charity. I hope this could be the beginning of a continuous effort throughout the rest of my life to be able to support charitable causes whether local or international. I also can’t wait to see the view from the top of Kili!

Name:
Salim Halabi

Interests:
Travelling, Trekking, Skiing, Reading

Fundraising achievements:
I have been involved in many fundraising projects, including collecting money to provide books for a public school in Lebanon, and to turn derelict municipal land into a recreational park in Baalbeck.

What I will miss when I’m on the mountain:
Lounging around at home

Why I am doing this challenge:
Following last summer’s conflict, many fundraising initiatives were based on religious and political affiliations. Though these initiatives saved lives and provided help to people in need, they enforced divisions amongst the Lebanese by distributing goods and services along sectarian lines. I hope that our secular, apolitical and transparent initiative will help promote Lebanon to those who have lost faith in it.