A group of Welsh business leaders and supporters of The King’s Trust successfully summited Mount Kilimanjaro on St David’s Day, raising more than £125,000 for The King’s Trust in Wales as part of the charity’s 50th anniversary year.
The team was led by Richard Selby MBE DL, Chair of The King’s Trust Wales Development Committee and Sarah Jones, Director of The King’s Trust in Wales. The group reached the summit on 1 March after five challenging days climbing Africa’s highest peak in difficult weather conditions.
All participants self-funded the trek, meaning every pound raised will go directly towards supporting young people across Wales into education, training, employment or starting their own businesses.
Richard Selby said, “We set out to reach the summit on St David’s Day and the team delivered. It was a tough climb in difficult conditions, but everyone kept going and we made it to the top together. Most importantly, the funds raised will help The King’s Trust continue supporting young people across Wales into work, education and training.”
Young people like David, 21, from Cardiff, show the impact of The King’s Trust’s work in Wales. David balanced caring responsibilities for his mother suffering from Sickle Cell while struggling to find stable employment before joining The King’s Trust Get into Construction programme.
Through the programme, David gained practical training and industry qualifications, including his CSCS licence, and now works in construction while studying criminology at university.
Sarah Jones, Director of The King’s Trust in Wales, said, “Taking on this challenge together was a powerful way to mark The King’s Trust’s 50th anniversary year. It reflects the determination and resilience we see in the young people across Wales.
“Stories like David’s show the difference the right support can make at the right time. The funds raised through this challenge will help us continue backing young people to gain skills, build confidence and move forward into brighter futures.”
The Kilimanjaro climb was part of The King’s Trust’s 50th anniversary fundraising efforts in Wales.
