Hike up mountain raises £13,000 for disabled charity

TREKKERS raised more than £13,000 during a five-day hike in Morocco for a Henley charity.

Thirteen colleagues from Workbooks, a software company based in Earley, and the Chiltern Centre for disabled young adults in Greys Road, climbed Mount Toubkal from June 3 to 8, climbing 4,167m.

The team trekked a total of 28 hours across three days, only sleeping for half of those hours. On summit day, they started their final 13-hour journey at 4am, wearing head torches.

Cheryl Purver, from Shiplake, who completed the trek last year, said the climbers were encouraged by words of support and photographs of Chiltern Centre members.

She said: “From the moment you land in Marrakech, your focus is on the summit. Standing at 4,167m after three hard days of trekking is what it’s all about.

“There are always high points and low points for every climber and, although this is a short expedition, it is no less of a journey.

“Each of our trekkers had a buddy from the centre to take with them.

“This year, we introduced pocket cards with words of support and a photograph of each buddy to help motivate the team. The young people that we support were very much part of the trip.

“Climbing a 4,167m mountain in just three days without any prior experience is incredibly tough but the aches and pains completely dissipate in the euphoria of reaching your goal.”

Ms Purver was “emotional” reaching the summit.

She said: “I was reminiscing on how I felt when I reached the top last year and desperately hoping that they all have the same experience in a few short hours. I think I appreciated it more in that I got to see myself in 13 other people, I had more capacity to take in every sight, every sound, every tiny moment through fresher eyes.

“Touching the shrine on the Atlas’s highest mountain brings about the most incredible emotions.

“We then took a short video of the whole team with their buddies, and there were many tears of joy. It was such a special moment for all.

“Then you face down. Having left the refuge at 4am, you do not reach civilisation until 7pm the same day. We covered 35km that day.”

Amelia Ash, 43, from Henley, who has Down’s syndrome and is an ambassador for the charity, said: “I am so proud of you for climbing Mount Toubkal, I could never do that.

“The centre means so much to me, I love everybody there. I feel like myself when I’m at the centre, and I hope you feel like yourself at work. The money you have raised will make a huge difference to our lives, and we are so grateful.”

John Cheney, chief executive of Workbooks, said: “It’s difficult to describe how physically challenging it was, we trekked for 28 hours and slept for only 14 over three days.

“On the final day, we started our ascent at 4am in the dark wearing head torches and spent 13 hours on the mountain.

“Our efforts pale into insignificance against the day-to-day challenges of the young adults who are supported by the Chiltern Centre. It was a privilege to take on such a challenge, and we are humbled by the work the team at the centre do each day.”

The next charity trek exhibition will be to Mount Kenya next year. A ladies-only team will also trek the Pyrenees in September.