Kilimanjaro: Stepping up to a new LawNet Challenge
In 2019, LawNet celebrates its 30th anniversary, which we’ll be marking in various ways, including this very special edition of the LawNet Challenge, our networking event with a difference!
Here, LawNet’s Member Services Manager George Coombes explains the background in taking the Challenge to the next level:
This will be my eleventh year organising the LawNet Challenge, and as well as arranging the Annual Challenge event in April, I wanted to do something extra special to celebrate the 30th anniversary. Having done the National Three Peaks Challenge for the 25th anniversary, we decided to step it up to something even bigger this time!
It might seem hard to believe, having arranged so many LawNet walking events now, but in the past, I wasn’t really an active walker at all. In my mid-20s I was forced to give up impact sport (such as football) and that, coupled with organising the regular Challenge events, kind of forced my hand and it turned out I really enjoy it… plus, it’s something that my body and knees can just about cope with!
Since then I’ve done lots of challenging hikes and scrambles outside of work either on my own, with family or friends as well as the Annual Challenge events. After completing the National Three Peaks Challenge five years ago, it was natural to want to do something bigger... and Kili has always been something that really appealed being pretty much the most challenging peak you can take on that doesn’t require any specialist equipment.
So, from being someone who wasn’t really interested in walking, to taking on Africa's highest mountain is quite a journey. I’m delighted that I’ll be joined by a group of LawNet members on this adventure:
- Ed O’Rourke (Ashtons Legal)
- Nicola Weldon (Gotelee)
- Charlotte Dixon (Barr Ellison)
- Jo Barton (Gardner Leader)
- Qaiser Khanzada (RIAA Barker Gillette)
- Jan Rzedzian (Hay & Kilner)
The trek is self-funded, and we’ll be raising funds for our chosen charities along the way. I have decided to raise money for MIND. The issue of Mental Health in men of my age group is becoming more and more apparent and I don’t think it's something that anybody can fully appreciate unless they suffer from depression themselves. Anything I can do to help raise money and awareness further can only be a good thing.
Donate to my fundraising for MIND here – thank you!
