In January 2011, three members of Everton staff are to reach new heights in aid of Everton in the Community.
In the biggest fundraising challenge to date, Head Groundsman Bob Lennon, Finance and Operations Director Martin Evans, Fundraising and Events Assistant Carena Duffy and fundraiser Phil Maclean from energy company Chevron will climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise £20,000 to re-invest into the life changing programmes run by the Community.
The idea for his mountainous test of physical endurance came about in 2009 when Carena Duffy took part in the Community’s first international challenge - climbing ‘The Ferrata’ mountain range in Italy, an experience she described as “the scariest, but most exhilarating time of my life.”
Following on from this, she was inspired to undertake another climbing challenge in aid of Everton in the Community and persuaded fellow colleagues Martin and Bob to take part, together with fellow climber and fund raiser Phil Maclean from energy company Chevron.
Carena said: “As a life long Blue and having seen the true difference that the Community’s programmes make to the lives of participants, I really wanted to raise more funds for the charity and climbing Kilimanjaro seemed the perfect way to challenge myself and at the same time, bring in vital funds to enable the Community to continue its work.”
Bob Lennon has been Head Groundsman for over 20 years, and, by his own admission, has ‘blue blood.’ Bob said: “I love Everton and taking part in the Kilimanjaro trail is my way of giving something back. Everton in the Community deliver life changing programmes for people on Merseyside and beyond”.
The Kilimanjaro ascent will take the team through a variety of life forms, from tropical rainforest to arctic conditions amongst the summit glaciers and in training, the team have fought the elements to reach the summits of some of the highest peaks in Britain including Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, Mount Snowdon and the Fairfield Horseshoe, at times hiking through knee-deep snow, frozen mist and high winds.
In May this year in preperation, Martin Evans, accompanied by Phil Maclean, completed the ‘National Three Peaks Challenge’ in just over 23 hours! Martin said about the climb: “It sounded like a crazy idea when we agreed to do it all those months ago – and, trust me; it appears to be just a little bit crazier with each and every passing day. It will, unquestionably, represent the greatest physical and mental challenge of our lives but the goal is to raise funds for those who are less fortunate than us – and that will make it all worthwhile.”
Donations, however small are welcome, please visit www.evertonfc.com/climb to donate. Alternatively, please call 0151 530 5253.
Scroll through the media gallery on the homepage to see Team Kili being put through their paces at the Club's training ground, Finch Farm, by Richie Porter.
