Jose Maria (Chema) Gonzalez

Job Title:
Data Specification Quality Manager

Why do you want to climb Mt Kilimanjaro?
It is the biggest one mountain in Africa, close to 6000m, for someone that love the mountains it is like a dream. And, additionally, to have the opportunity to know better to different colleagues from different areas of Europe, it do even more interesting this challenge.

What has been the most challenging thing about this initiative so far?
Really the main challenge, till now, is how to collect the money, to move colleagues and friends to give money, when it is not usual in my country, it is not a custom.

What is the most interesting thing you have learned about yourself so far?
I think that if want something, sooner or later, you will do it.

How are you raising your UNICEF funds?
I have move some initiatives, share with my contacts the link to donate, parties at home (e.g. BBC), I was checking for a small lottery to have a weekend my motorhome but finally I have not done at it could have legal issues, etc.

If there was going to be a Kilimanjaro playlist for your climb, what song would you choose?
Thunderstruck (AC/DC), this is a song associated to the majority of the challenges that I have done in my live.

What luxury are you planning on taking up the mountain with you?
Really I have not thought nothing special, maybe an ebook or music…

Is there anything you are ‘dreading’?
Without any doubt my main concern is how my body will work above the 4000m, I have not been never over this height.

What are you looking forward to most?
See the nights on Africa, in the middle of nowhere, the sky with thousands of stars, I think that will be amazing. And, of course, the moment to arrive to the top of Kilimanjaro.