It is estimated that around 25,000 people attempt to scale the 19,563 feet tall mountain each year and many fail. One teenager determined not to be another statistic is adamant to achieve his goal:

“I will make it to the summit if it kills me. Something like a third of those who try and reach the summit fail but I am confident,” said Sean Gray, Law Student.

Sean, 19, originally from Durham is studying law at Nottingham University and a typical boy interested in sport and socialising. “I aspire to be a big city solicitor”, the persona of someone you would certainly not expect to see climbing Kilimanjaro. Yet Sean is planning on doing just that this summer on June 23.

Along with a group of friends Sean will attempt to reach the summit raising £500,000 for a charity called Child Reach. Each member of the team has a minimum target of £2200 that they must reach, “If I don’t raise £2200 then I don’t go, it’s going to be tough,” says Sean.

With temperatures ranging from 30 degrees to minus 20 degrees, trekking up the mountainous terrain is going to be a difficult task, “It is very daunting, I have never done anything of the sort before.” To help them with their trek the group will be joined by a group of locals who climb the mountain for a living,” says Sean. “We get two Sherpa’s each to carry some food, tents and too guide us up the mountain in case any accidents happen.”

You may be wondering why Sean wants to embark on such a dangerous challenge besides the charitable aspect, but that is precisely the answer: the challenge.”I love a challenge and I love my sport. I like to push myself as far as I can in everything,” says Sean. “I feel I have been lucky all my life so I thought I would do something good for once.”

Whilst in Africa and after the climb, Sean will carry out volunteer work in local villages building schools, orphanages and water pumps which are all supported by the charity. ” I can’t wait to meet the children; it will be amazing to help and to actually see where the money is going,” added Sean.

Sean needs all the help he can get in reaching his £2200 target, if you would like to make a donation please visit www.justgiving.com/seangray even a small donation is one step closer to the foot of that mountain.

You may think that you’ll look like a lumberjack, but the check shirt is definitely one of this seasons must haves and we’ve done all the hard work for you by finding these stylish numbers, so dive into your pockets and purchase one of our top 10: 

1. Hooded check shirt, £24.50

www.asos.com

2. White and red check shirt, £28.00

Topman

3. Blue check shirt and tie set, £28.00

Burton

4. Woody rex check shirt (Carhartt), £53.00

Triple S

5. Blue Superdry check shirt, £45.00

Triple S

6. Orange roll up check shirt, £ 15

New look- Mens

7. Lee Cooper Check Shirt, £18.00

Matalan

8. Soul Cal diaz checked shirt, £19.56

Republic

9.  Blue check shirt, £25.00

Topman

10. Red lumberjack shirt, £45.00

Firetrap

On February 25th 2009, over 1,000 of the regions most promising entrepreneurs will gather at Rainton Meadows, Houghton-Le-Spring to hear talks from seven established guest speakers and have the opportunity to mingle with other ambitious delegates.

Cloud9 offers the region’s youth the oppertunity to be part of a meeting which allows young people to see a brighter future and gain career prospects. Many successful entrepreneurs will be available throughout the day to offer advice and tips on becoming a business success.

Amongst the guest speakers are Tre Azam, who was previously a contestant on the BBC reality show, The Apprentice in 2007. Alongside Tre there will be speeches from Mick Jackson, one of Britain’s most inspiring businessmen and Scottish Entrepreneur of the year, as well as Big Brother winner Anthony Hutton, Jellyellie author of “How Teenagers Think”, Dragon’s Den success story Imran Hakim and finally Ajaz Ahmed who founded the UK’s largest Internet Service Provider, Freeserve.

Caspar Berry, author, professional poker player and co-founer of Twenty First Century Media, who will be introducing the summit said: “Cloud9 will benefit todays youth because it will help make people regard entrepreneurship as a viable career.”

“It is there to give people already thinking of setting up their own business the support and direction.”

Find out more about the Cloud9 summit, here

Hannah Fernando knows exactly what it’s like to be a student hoping to pursue a career in the media. Having studied Multi-Media Journalism at Bournemouth University, Hannah is now an inspiring and successful journalist, working as News Editor for Heat magazine. Hannah offers her expert advice to students.

Hannah Fernando always had a desire to write, and it was after graduation that she finally got her break working for The News of the World. As well as being News Editor for Heat magazine, she also has her own slot on Sky News working alongside Eamonn Holmes. Her other TV credits include working for the BBC, Channel 5, X Factor, GMTV and on the popular show Richard and Judy.

Sunderland University Journalism student Rochelle Gow contacted Hannah to ask for some career advice:

Q. You have made a great success of yourself as a journalist, what initially made you interested in a career driven by news and media?

A. I have always loved writing and journalism seemed initially to be the best way to satisfy that want. Once I started my career I then became interested in celebrity and at this moment in time celebrity sells and there is a huge market for it, which has helped my career.

Q. What course did you study at university and what interested you about this course?

A. Multi-Media Journalism at Bournemouth University. I chose it because it was NCTJ accredited and incorporated print, radio and television – all of which I am now involved in.

Q. Often students find it difficult to get a job after graduation, did you find this was the case and how difficult was it finding one that suited you in the media?

A. It is difficult when you first graduate because there are a whole load of people trying to get a job at the same time. I have always wanted to work on a national publication and although I did many long placements on local papers, radio stations etc, what I really craved was to work on a national. Initially I worked for a couple of news agencies where they syndicated my work to the nationals and from there I got my job at The News of the World. It wasn’t easy to make that transition, but I was persistent and believed that I could do it if only they’d give me a chance.

Q. Could you tell me a little bit about your first job after university and what it entailed?

A. News agency work is very tough and the pay is terrible but if you can stand that you can stand almost anything! It really sets you up with a news background and the knowledge of how to go and get a news story, as well as giving you the opportunity to make contacts. Companies are ultimately interested in what you can produce for them and the only way you are going to be able to do that is through contacts.

Q. As a Journalist and someone who has also experienced university, what advice would you offer to other students hoping to pursue a career in the media?

A. Not to expect too much when you graduate. You will not start on a £30k salary like some people hope! It’s tough but don’t give up, lots of people do and if you don’t you will be rewarded in the long term. Do as much work experience as you possibly can and try to get by lines wherever possible as proof of your work.

Q. Do you have any Do’s and Don’ts as a Journalist?

A. Do be persistent. Don’t think because you have a degree some more menial jobs are beneath you. If you are good you will move up very quickly.

Q. Obviously you have already played quite a role in the media and experienced many fields of work, are there any other magazines you would like to write for and edit or any other fields of media such as TV or radio you would like to take part in?

A. I would like to edit a celebrity magazine one day. This is a field I have become comfortable in and know well. I would also like to continue my career in television, and perhaps have my own showbiz slot on a terrestrial station. Currently I have had my own slot on Sky News and I now do the paper review with Eamonn Holmes, again at Sky News. I contribute to shows like The X Factor and GMTV, which I would love to continue doing. For radio, I am involved in various different stations and I am happy as that is for the moment.

Q. Who is the most interesting celebrity you have met and why?

A. They are all interesting in their own way. Sometimes an A-list celeb is far duller and has far less to say than a C-lister! For example, I interviewed Chantelle Houghton at the beginning of the year and it was followed all over the press because what she had to say was interesting. I interviewed Girls Aloud’s Nicola a couple of weeks ago – her first solo interview and that was both fun and interesting.

Q. Are there any celebrities you haven’t yet met but would like too?

A. I would love to interview Victoria Beckham – see what she’s really like when the cameras are off!

Q. And finally, what is it about your job that you most enjoy?

A. Writing, being part of a fun team and being privileged enough to do what most people would love to do. Meeting celebrities, getting to places you otherwise would be turned away from and being part of a huge moving machine that is the British media.

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