Intrepid JCB colleagues Dan Minor and Nick Ward are taking on Africa's highest mountain this summer to raise money for the company’s nominated charity the NSPCC. Their 11-day trip to Tanzania in June reaches its climax in the early hours of the 26th when the duo reach the 19,341 ft summit of Kilimanjaro.
Sub-assembler Dan, aged 27, of Stoke, said: “We got the idea from my brother Tom who completed the trek himself in February for the Douglas Macmillan Hospice after a friend's dad was supported there.
“Tom found it tougher than he'd thought and has already told us about the altitude sickness and the mental battles. But we're doing plenty of training and we have a never say die attitude.
“We think it’ll be a challenge and a once in a lifetime experience, a way to achieve something for ourselves and because we're doing it for charity it’s a great way to give back at the same time. We’re focusing hard on raising as much money as we can before we go so we can relax to try to enjoy the experience.”
The pair, who work at JCB’s World HQ at Rocester, have already received pledges of almost £4,000 on their Just Giving page. Their former schools, the William Amory Primary School in Blythe Bridge and Blythe Bridge High School are also raising funds for their appeal, with the William Amory Primary School staging a non-uniform day on Friday, June 12th.
Fitness should not be a problem for the pair. Dan, aged 27, spends plenty of time in the gym while Nick, 29, of Trentham, a storeman/line feeder, plays for Rocester Football Club. They have already tackled Snowdon as part of their training.
They need to raise a minimum of £7,200, with half covering expedition costs and the remainder going to the NSPCC. To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com /dannickkilimanjaro