Two Fundraising Hikes in a Week for Shropshire Charity
Shropshire charity, Climbing Out, has run two successful fundraising hikes in August, which raised a total of over £12,000.
The first hike was delivered for home life safety business, Aico. On August 19th, the charity led 55 Aico employees on a 17km route over Shropshire hills in the Carding Mill Valley area. Aico has supported the charity in various ways over the last three years, helping fund equipment and kit for its programmes, new branding for the charity’s van, and funding the documentary film, Breaking Waves, which charts the extraordinary experiences that led to Kelda Wood setting up the charity as well as her record-breaking solo row across the Atlantic. The hike allowed the Aico team to embrace Climbing Out’s ethos of getting outdoors and active in a group setting to increase a sense of connection. Aico’s staff raised over £4,000 to complete the hike.
Jane Pritchard, CSR & Community Engagement Lead at Aico, said, “Our fundraising hike was a particularly special day. It gave Aico colleagues the opportunity to better understand the work Climbing Out does, experience some of the principles behind their programmes and raise funds to help that work continue.”
On August 22nd, the charity held its annual fundraising hike, which is open to all. 53 hikers took part, raising over £8,000 for the charity, bringing the total raised by both hiking events to over £12,000.
Climbing Out’s mission is to empower life after trauma. Their residential programmes combine outdoor activities with personal development coaching, which provides the tools to manage mindset and behaviour following a life-changing injury, illness or trauma. The charity is founded by Kelda Wood MBE. The charity also offers a self-paced online programme.
Kelda said both hikes were a huge success. She said, “We have been so lucky to enjoy two brilliant fundraising hikes in the space of a few days. The sun shone, and everyone went above and beyond to make them truly special events.
“A huge thanks to the hikers from both groups for putting in an enormous effort, both in walking and fundraising.”
At the annual Fundraising Hike, there were three routes to choose from, all setting off from Carding Mill Valley. The shortest route was completed by the families of past participants of the charity’s programmes.
Kelda added, “It’s amazing to have raised such a fantastic sum of money, which will help us to keep changing lives.
“At the annual hike, we have a mix of past participants, their friends and families, funders, and supporters. Watching the fun, friendship and support between them all made me incredibly proud, and it was one of the best fundraising hikes we’ve ever run.”
The charity has already started planning its 2027 fundraising hike in Shropshire. Kelda said, “Put August 21st in your diary and stay tuned for more details!”
