Epic Charity Trek Success for Local Business

Individuals from carpet cleaners, upholstery cleaning and damage restoration business Chem-Dry® have raised in excess of £8,000 following a successful climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro, the world’s tallest freestanding mountain, in aid of the Chem-Dry’s Charity of the Year - Asthma UK.

The group of 15, made up of employees, franchisees and individuals from Chem-Dry’s private equity company LDC, spent six days trekking through rainforest, moorland and alpine desert, with the aim of reaching the ice capped tip of the mountain – Uhuru Peak. The participants walked six to eight hours every day and lived out of backpacks for the duration of the challenge. The thinning air and ever changing weather conditions tested the group’s resolve and determination to battle on to the summit. All but one made it to the top, albiet exhausted and in pain after a gruelling nine hour climb in the darkness and freezing cold temperatures.

Andrew Lloyd-Jones, Chem-Dry UK Managing Director, said: “Chem-Dry wanted to take part in a challenge that would help pull in substantial funds for our Charity of the Year, Asthma UK. The Kilimanjaro climb was a huge mental and physical challenge that saw everyone struggle at times. Reaching the summit and raising over £8,000 for the charity is a huge achievement for the whole of Chem-Dry. I would personally like to thank all of our sponsors for their kind support.

Catherine Morton, Corporate Partnerships Officer for Asthma UK, said: “Congratulations to the group for their amazing achievement and huge thanks for their generous donations which will help fund vital research into the causes of asthma. Some people with asthma can’t even climb the stairs at home let alone climb Kilimanjaro, so this money will be a great help in supporting them through specialist services like our Asthma UK Adviceline“.

There is still time to donate and help support the Asthma UK cause. Cheques are to be made payable to Chem-Dry UK – Kilimanjaro and sent to: Kristy Sanderson, Chem-Dry UK, Colonial House, Swinemoor Lane, Beverley HU17 0LS.
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Notes to Editor

Chem-Dry®

• Chem-Dry is the world’s leading carpet and upholstery cleaner and one of the UK’s leading disaster restoration companies.
• Chem-Dry is a cleaning franchise network business with over 720 operators, serving 28 million homes as well as commercial carpet cleaning.
• Chem-Dry was established in the UK in 1987 with a Yorkshire-based national service centre.
• www.chemdry.co.uk

Mount Kilimanjaro Facts

• Highest mountain in Africa and 4th highest of the Seven Summits. Considered the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, rising 15,100 feet (4,600 meters) from base to summit.
• Kilimanjaro was first climbed on October 5, 1889 by German geologist Hans Meyer, Marangu scout Yoanas Kinyala Lauwo, and Austrian Ludwig Purtscheller.
• Kilimanjaro has five common routes to its highest summit: Marangu Route; Machame Route; Rongai Route; Lemosho Route; and Mweka Route. Machame and Lemosho routes are popular and scenic.
• The biggest challenge and danger is the high altitude. Climbers die from improper acclimatization and altitude sickness rather than falls.

About Asthma UK
1. Asthma UK is the charity dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the 5.4 million people live in the UK whose lives are affected by asthma.
2. Follow Asthma UK’s media team on Twitter, at Twitter.com/AsthmaUKMedia. For up-to-date news on asthma, information and publications, visit the Asthma UK website asthma.org.uk.
3. Kickasthma.org.uk is Asthma UK’s interactive website for children and young people with asthma. The site offers support and advice and includes an asthma dictionary, problem page, games and a messageboard.
4. For independent and confidential advice on asthma, call the Asthma UK Adviceline, which is staffed by asthma nurse specialists. It is free to call from a BT landline and open weekdays from 9am to 5pm on 0800 121 62 44.

Contact Information

Mark Richardson

Chem-Dry Franchising

Chem-Dry

Contact via E-mail