Kilimanjaro Trek

💛 To donate to this amazing challenge, head to Matt’s JustGiving page

Let’s cheer him on all the way to the summit!

Meet Matt - and hear about how he's supporting Aberdeen Foyer

Hi there! I'm Matt, I'm 53, I'm your typical HSEQ Manager, and I work for an amazing organisation called Air Liquide. More importantly, I've been married to Allison for over 25 years—which is a challenge in itself!—and we have two great lads, Ben (25) and Jake (19), plus the actual boss of the house, Marley the dog. Honestly, if they weren’t so incredibly supportive and understanding of my mad schemes, none of this Kilimanjaro plan would be possible.

I've always been one for setting myself physical challenges, whether it was grinding through the London Marathon or those brutal Hyrox events. But after years of pounding the pavement, my knees decided they'd had enough. I’m a regular gym-goer and love to swim, but hiking was never really my thing. Sure, Allison and I would occasionally potter up the Lomond Hills, but that was more of a slow-paced stroll than a serious trek.

Then, completely out of the blue, I was speaking to someone who mentioned they’d hiked Kilimanjaro, and for some reason, the idea just stuck. I figured hiking might be the better, less painful option compared to running, and the more I researched, the more interested and, frankly, excited I got about trading the marathon course for high-altitude trails.

I asked my wife if she’d join me, and the answer was an instant, firm 'No.' Fair enough, climbing the roof of Africa isn't for everyone! So, I called up a travel contact friend who had done the trek before. She started looking at costs, and the next thing I knew, I was booked on an ambitious eight-day adventure on the scenic Lemosho Route, starting on June 4th. Apparently, Lemosho is the best route for views, which is a good job, as I’ll need something spectacular to distract me from the exhaustion!

Now, the hard work is truly underway. I’m being put through my paces by my excellent personal trainer, Jen at Barry Stephens Gym, who has set up a tailored training program for me. That, along with regular long-distance walks complete with a loaded backpack, and swimming (without the backpack), is helping me get the preparation I need.

This journey is about more than just sore legs, though. If I’m going to attempt this once-in-a-lifetime feat, I want it to count. I’m raising much-needed funds for Aberdeen Foyer, the fantastic charitable organisation where Allison works. They dedicate themselves to supporting vulnerable people, often young individuals, by giving them supported accommodation, training, and vital services to help them secure a positive future.

There’s still a mountain of logistics to climb before June 4th—equipment, visas, a worrying amount of injections, and insurance—but I am absolutely looking forward to this challenge. I would genuinely appreciate all the support you can offer: both the moral support (please send all your positive thoughts my way, as they will get me through the tough, freezing parts of the trek) and any contributions to my JustGiving page. Here's hoping for a successful summit and raising as much money as I can for this worthwhile charity!

💛 To donate to this amazing challenge, head to Matt’s JustGiving page