A group of 25 trekkers were on top of the world after raising £100,000 for The Hope Centre during a climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. The Hope Centre based in Willesden, north-west London is a Norwood service for children and young people with special educational needs. Using a range of learning techniques, including a methodology pioneered by Professor Feuerstein, its teachers and therapists help students aged between three and 19 to learn in their own individual and creative ways. Hope also provides training for staff and parents.
The group, who started their 10-day trek on 4 October, climbed to the top of the 6,000m peak – the highest in Africa – through the unspoilt wilderness of the quieter Rongai route. Describing his ascent, Ian Fagelson, a Norwood Trustee who was joined by 11 colleagues from six different offices of international law firm Reed Smith, said:
"Struggling to the summit of Kilimanjaro was the biggest physical challenge of my life. Doing it in the company of a really wonderful group of good humoured, mutually supportive trekkers, led by a superb guide and supported by a wonderful local support team, made it a little easier.
“This was my eighth trek to raise money for The Hope Centre, and by far the most difficult. These treks have raised more than £1million for the centre, which helps young people with learning disabilities, like my own son Jonathan, to achieve their full potential.
“Jonathan graduated from The Hope Centre a few years ago and I feel a strong obligation to raise funds to enable other children to benefit, as Jonathan did, from the unique methods practised at Hope.”
Ian Tate, Norwood’s Head of Challenges, said: “The trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro has undoubtedly been one of our most difficult Challenges, which makes the group’s achievements all the more incredible. Through their dedication and effort, they have helped raise an amazing amount of money for one of Norwood’s highly specialised services.
“On behalf of Norwood and Hope, I would particularly like to thank our Trustee Ian Fagelson, whose enthusiasm and commitment helped make this Challenge such a triumph. You can be certain that the success of the Kilimanjaro climb will result in the addition of other trekking events to our annual fundraising programme.”
