The summit of Mount Kilimanjaro will, on Monday 22 February 2010, be the extraordinary location for an audacious world-record attempt in aid of the “Smile Train” – a charity dedicated to providing free cleft surgery to millions of children in developing countries around the world.

Not content to simply climb the world’s largest free-standing mountain for charity, the climbers will be doing so with “Sound Driver”, a 5-piece rock band from the UK and Ireland. The intention: to create a new world-record for the ‘Highest Altitude Electrically Powered Rock Gig’ by playing a live concert at the near 20,000 feet summit.

In addition to their regular climbing gear, the band equipment alone weighs in at around 150 kg with the ascent set to take the group of climbers seven days to reach the top. Among the climbers taking part in this historic charity climb is UAE national, Ibrahim Al Housani, 35, a corporate lawyer currently working for Abu Dhabi Airports Company.

Commenting on his participation before he left for Tanzania earlier this week, Al Housani said: “As a father of five, I find the Smile Train charity to be a wonderful cause to help children who would normally have to go without treatment. I am sure that all of us taking part in this unique and historic climb will use the good work we can help continue through this charity as the inspiration and focus to spur us on towards the summit.”

The driving force behind the tour is to raise money and awareness for Smile Train, a charity dedicated to providing free cleft surgery for millions of children in developing countries, and providing cleft-related training for the doctors and medical professionals who carry out these operations.

Over the last ten years Smile Train has provided over 500,000 free surgeries for children and has helped in 77 of the world’s poorest countries.

“Sound Driver” has recorded a single, Chasing Rainbows, for the event and after rocking Kilimanjaro will move on to play iconic locations in Abu Dhabi, China, India and USA.

With the travel retail trade a long-time supporter of the Smile Train charity, a key sponsor of this year’s remarkable and unique initiative is, Abu Dhabi Airport Company, the operator of the five airports in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. A full list of sponsors can be found on the tour website www.chasingrainbowstour.com.
 

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