Partner Article

Ian aims high for charity

A North East businessman is facing his biggest challenge yet this month with an expedition to climb Kilimanjaro.

Ian Robinson, of timber importers and agents Gill and Robinson in Newcastle upon Tyne, is hoping that friends and colleagues in the trade and in the North East will sponsor his latest effort to raise funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and the Timber Trades Benevolent Society (TTBS).

“As a member of the TTBS board I have raised money for the society from various activities like several Great North Runs, the Great North Swim, the Great North Bike Ride, Hadrian’s Wall and the Coast to Coast but this is my biggest challenge yet,” he said. “I wanted to support Sir Bobby’s charity as well this time.

“At 19,340 ft Kilimanjaro is the highest freestanding mountain in the world and even though my hips are wearing out, I still hope to make it. I’m going with my brother and my nephew and niece and have been training hard including three consecutive days fell walking in the Lake District in December where I covered more than 21 miles and seven peaks in sub zero conditions. I’ve even slept in the garage for a few nights to test out my sleeping bag as it can get to minus 20c as you get near to the summit.

“I am hoping to raise a really good sum for TTBS and for Sir Bobby’s cancer charity,” he added. “I would be really grateful for all donations, however small.”

Anyone wanting to donate can contact Ian on ian@gillandrobinson.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .