Swindon firm helps staff member climb fundraising mountain for charity Kilimanjaro trek

By Barrie Hudson - 19 October 2020

CharityBusiness

A Wroughton woman planning a Kilimanjaro climb in aid of Prospect Hospice has the backing of her employer.

  • Kerry Abbott's training climbs have included a conquest of Ben Nevis

    Kerry Abbott's training climbs have included a conquest of Ben Nevis

Swindon specialist label printers Eclipse Labels has pledged to help Quality Assurance Quality Control Manager Kerry Abbott.

Due to the financial pressures put on businesses and individuals as a result of covid-19, Kerry was increasingly aware of not being able to ask friends and contacts for support - but Eclipse promises that for every order placed they will donate £5.

Kerry signed up for the Kilimanjaro trek in November of last year and has been training since.  

Due to the pandemic, the climb has been postponed until January of 2022, but this gives her additional time to train and reach her fundraising target of £2,000.

Kerry said: “I’ve completed a lot of smaller challenges to raise money for charity; I’ve done Prospect’s Starlight Walks in the past and last year I did the 100km Race to the Stones for Help for Heroes.  

"When I saw the Kilimanjaro trek, I knew it was something I wanted to do, especially in support of such a great charity, which has supported my family in the past.  The things they do and go through every day are wonderful and it’s so much more than just end of life care.

“When Covid hit, I realised that fundraising would be difficult - even now with the extra time as the trek has been pushed back a year, as everyone needs all the pennies they have.  However, with the donation from Eclipse on every order I hope to be able to hit my target and maybe even raise more!”

Kerry has been training by climbing British peaks, and most recently conquered Ben Nevis.  She has also climbed Pen Y Fan a number of times and plans to tackle Snowdon and the complete Three Peaks challenge in the coming year.  

"However, the challenge is not just physical but also mental.

Kerry said: “I’ve never travelled or been on an aeroplane alone before, so the complete experience including flying to Tanzania will be a challenge for me.  

"I’m doing everything I can to be prepared for it, but it’s also the altitude change that you just can’t prepare for.  When I get to Kilimanjaro I will be walking six or seven hours a day over a week on very different terrain.  

"Luckily, they provide everything we need to climb Kilimanjaro safely so we’ll be taking it slowly to allow us to acclimatise.”  

 Sheryl Crouch, head of income at Prospect Hospice said: “This is a wonderful idea from Eclipse Labels to help Kerry reach her fundraising target. We really appreciate this ongoing support towards the work of the hospice from both them and Kerry at this time. 

"The Kilimanjaro trek is a great challenge and I hope Kerry enjoys every minute when the time comes to get those walking boots on.

“With our events cancelled and our shops closed earlier this year, it’s been a difficult time for those fundraising for us so we’re excited to see innovative ways such as this that means the money still comes in and we’re able to continue to support those at the end of their lives with our specialist care.”

Eclipse Labels is based at Equity Trade Centre, Hobley Drive, Swindon, and specialises in designing and printing security labels, promotional self-adhesive stickers and specialist labels for the food and drink sectors.  

Kerry's sponsorship information can be found at https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KerryAbbott2

The Eclipse Labels website is www.eclipselabels.com

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