The team complete their challenge and raise vital funds for children’s hospital
Earlier in the year Patra were more than happy to sponsor an intrepid team of enthusiastic business professionals in their bid to climb Mount Kilimanjaro to raise money for the children’s hospital, Great Ormond Street. And we are very pleased to report that they are all back home safe and sound, albeit a little sore, mission complete.
The challenge
For a group more comfortable with mouse mats than climbing packs this was no easy feat. Kilimanjaro is the world’s highest freestanding mountain, reaching an impressive 5895 metres above sea level.
Issues such as altitude sickness and lack of oxygen can be a serious concern – this was an extremely physically demanding expedition.
Speaking of the experience Joanne Jones, Senior Publications Editor of Planet Retail said, “Climbing Kilimanjaro was one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do in my life, both mentally and physically. It was an amazing experience I’ll never forget but one I’m not sure I want to repeat any time soon!”
Essential protection with thermal base layers
Patra’s donation was sets of our thermal base layers for each team member. This essential under-armour consisted of Long Sleeve Silk Thermal Vests and Long Johns. These are comfortable and lightweight but incredibly warm. And more importantly they are breathable and able to wick moisture away from the skin.
We also included our Silk Glove Liners, Balaclava and Silk Collars. The face, neck and hands need just a much protection from the elements as the rest of your body when climbing in freezing conditions and these pieces offer warmth without bulk.
It seems as though our thermals were a truly indispensible part of the team’s kit. Bruna Aguiar, MEED Projects account manager, described her experience “As the weather on Kilimanjaro can be quite unpredictable, the thermals were essential to our success as a team to complete the climb and reach the summit.”
Striving for success
The team’s achievement is huge – they trekked for more than eight hours a day, for seven days, really pushing themselves to their limit.
Ben Cronin, editor of Lighting in the Emap Fashion, Architecture and Building services described it as “the equivalent of wading through treacle while breathing through a straw.” But the team all agree that the pain, hard work and exhaustion was worth it. The outcome being a staggering total of £44,246.17 to date, all raised for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.
Congratulations to the Top Right group for working so hard for such a worthy cause. At Patra we are proud to have played a part in your great adventure.
