Pappa Pedro Greig

ABOUT WINGS OF KILIMANJARO

The adventure of a lifetime.

In early 2013, a group of adventurers from every corner of the globe will come together for a once-in-a-lifetime event to climb and fly from the “Roof of Africa” - Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest free-standing mountain on the planet, in a bid to raise $1 million for charity.

For over 20 years the Government of Tanzania has strictly enforced the ban on the use of Paragliders, Hang Gliders and Mountain Bikes in the Kilimanjaro National Park. In 2013, however, they will lift this restriction for a one time only event, Wings Of Kilimanjaro.

The money raised by the pilots is going towards projects that the Wings Of Kilimanjaro team are personally overseeing in the areas of health, environment and education. This movement has already changed lives with micro-financing small local businesses and directly resulted in over 10,000 trees planted. The film will go deep into the heart of Tanzania and discover the journey behind this great cause.

ABOUT THE FILM

24 Countries. 100+ Adventurers. 3 Charities. One Mountain.

Directed by Peter Greig, the Wings Of Kilimanjaro film will tell the stories of the paragliding community elite who came together for a cause that has already started to change lives.

Over 100 unique personalities with not one, but two, things in common... to fly, and to make a difference.

This dream for many was made a reality by an Australian brother and sister who spent three years of their lives and personal resources to discover that if you care enough, and don't take no for an answer, anything can happen.

We have already had the opportunity to film some of the project in its early development, but to continue we need the support to help us with the expenses of filming a major production. This is a unique story about many communities coming together for a great cause, and it needs to be told in a unique way.

PLEASE WATCH THE TRAILER BELOW, filmed by Peter Greig during the Wings Of Kilimanjaro scouting trip in July, 2012.

BE PART OF THE FILM MAKING PROCESS

This film belongs to the people supporting it, and thats why we've made it as easy as possible for you to become an important part of this historical event.

By supporting this project, you can choose your level of participation in this project. From behind the scenes getting updates via the crew while this film is being created, to having the chance to take a creative role - such as attending a test screening where you can provide feedback on the film before its global premiere.

You can even join the team on location, and also see the real charity work being done, with an itinerary planned just for you!

WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

While all of the money raised on wingsofkilimanjaro.com goes directly to the charities (WOK doesn't take any admin fees, and in fact all expenses for the non-profit organisation have been privately funded to date), the funds raised here will be dedicated to the filming of the project.

The story behind these unique individuals is too rare to let slip by without documenting the tremendous effort made by everyone involved. This includes our film crew members, who are donating their time and resources to make sure this project gets filmed.

Thankfully, this will mean every single cent raised here will go directly to hard costs involved in getting this work on screen. These are critical expenses such as:

- Equipment Hire

- Logistical expenses such as visas, climbing and park entry fees, transportation costs, etc

- Insurance

- Post Production and preparation for the big screen

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

THE TEAM

Adrian McRae
Wings Of Kilimanjaro Founder

While traveling Eastern Africa in 2003, Adrian summited Africa’s two highest peaks - Mt Kilimanjaro & Mt Kenya. This personal achievement, however, was dwarfed when seeing the extreme poverty experienced by the local Tanzanian poor.

Despite this, Tanzanians were people with a unique resilience and human spirit that belied their situation. This spirit compelled Adrian to think big; with a shared sense of adventure and passion to help those less fortunate than himself brought forth the inception of Wings Of Kilimanjaro.

Peter Bowyer
Flight Safety Officer & Technical Advisor

What happens when you cross an airline/air force pilot with the airlines hostess?

Yep, you guessed it, with parents like this we are surprised Pete Bowyer was born without feathers. Pete was destined to be an aviator!

Peter Bowyer has represented Australia in two World Championships and is the Chief Flying Instructor and founder of the Australian Paragliding Centre. In his words “Live life or exist life, you decide!” – it’s an honour to have him and his expertise on board as the safety and technical advisor for Wings of Kilimanjaro.

Paula McRae
Project Manager, Philanthropist

The younger - and much better looking sibling of Adrian - Paula was the first to step on board the Wings of Kilimanjaro project. Her experience will ensure that Wings of Kilimanjaro reaches its full potential for the pilots, supporters, but most of all for those in need in Tanzania!

Paula’s main passion is people and always taking any opportunity to help those who are in less fortunate situations. In 2012, she relocated to Tanzania for the project and has been crucial to the success of making it all happen.

SOME OF THE PILOTS

Sano Babu Sunuwar (National Geographic Adventurer of the Year 2012)

Sano Babu Sunuwar, together with his friend, Lakpa Tsheri Sherpa, both from Nepal, were the National Geographic 2012 People’s Choice Adventurers of the Year for their “Ultimate Descent” expedition to climb Everest, paraglide down, and paddle to the sea.

Babu is an extremely gifted adventurer, paraglider, and kayak lead. Select paragliding achievements include: March 2010 Cross Nepal Paragliding Expedition. 831 km First person to cross Nepal by Paragliding. Flying 52 hours and 21 days, with tandem passenger as the camera crew; Feb 2010 Nepal Paragliding Cross Country Competition, 2nd place; and March 2009 Exploration tandem trip Kathmandu – Pokhara. (around 180 km).

Mike Küng (Red Bull X-Alps Pilot)

One of paragliding’s biggest stars, ‘Mad’ Mike Küng joins the Wings of Kilimanjaro team!

Limits? What limits? Mad Mike is the paragliding worlds most recognisable adrenaline junkie. Mike not only searches for perfect radical movements in flight, but also explores his own limits in any sport or activity he performs, from ground-handling his glider above a volcano, to jumping from a balloon at more than 10,000 metres over ground level… and then paragliding back to earth. Many a world record and several world firsts belong to Mad Mike Küng.

Squash Falconer

Internationally popular adventurer and mountaineer Squash Falconer is also a keen skier, snowboarder, paraglider and motorbike rider. In an effort to combine three of the four, in 2011 she hatched a plan to ride a motorbike down to the south of France, climb Mt Blanc and fly from the summit.

She managed it and only afterwards discovered that she was the first British woman to fly from the top. She later climbed Mount Everest with every intention of jumping off the top and her effort was well covered by BBC and other top media. She did make it to the top, but, unfortunately, due to weather conditions, was unable to realise her goal.

Adrian Leppard

QPM, MBA... & London’s Commissioner of Police!

In between monitoring the safety and security behind the 2012 London Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, Adrian can be found training for the biggest event of 2013 – Wings of Kilimanjaro.

His resume blows the rest of us out the water – and unfortunately, he’s one of those people, that has the personality to match. We are truly honoured to have this dignified member join the team.