To raise money for the Railway Children Charity, Avanti West Coast employees climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

The group trekked 69 kilometres across the week-long challenge, travelling through moorland, rainforest and scree.

The group included:

• Zoe Flannagan, Employee Experience and Wellbeing Co-ordinator
• Lucy Pritchard, Senior Social Media Executive
• Nicola Hague, Customer Experience Strategy Manager
• Tanzeelah Ahmed, Onboard Customer Service Assistant
• Craig Fletcher, Deputy Head of Drivers
• Phil Gutteridge, Onboard Customer Service Assistant
• Phil Saunders and Matthew Macaskill, Onboard Managers

The group visited an ongoing project in Mwanza, Tanzania, that the charity is carrying out, seeing how their fundraising efforts will help.

The group raised nearly £50,000 for the charity, which could go towards setting up over 20 Child Help Desks at bus stations in Tanzania.

 “Climbing Kilimanjaro has always been something I’ve wanted to challenge myself with, and I’m so pleased I was able to live out that dream whilst raising money for Railway Children.

“We were lucky enough to see the positive difference the charity has made to local communities. It was incredible to meet some of the families whose lives have changed because of Railway Children. Hearing their stories and spending time with them was deeply moving.

“The trek itself was gruelling at times and the hardest thing I’ve ever done but an incredible challenge to have completed. The whole trip was a once in a lifetime experience and memories were made that we will all cherish forever.”

Lucy Pritchard