TWO SUCCESSFUL businessmen are tackling a set of imposing mountain peaks to raise money for Mahdlo Youth Zone.
Frank Rothwell, Managing Director of manufacturing business Manchester Cabins Ltd, and Ben Ingham, of Chadderton-based Safeguard UK, recently braved the bad weather to spend a weekend climbing Mount Snowdon.
The brave pair took on the challenge in the dark with head torches while it rained and blew a 50 mile per hour gale.
The trip was preparation for their attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro starting on March 29 and both men have been training hard for the trek.
Frank said: “I have been in training since early February on Pots and Pans in Greenfield which rises to 1220ft.
“I have been nipping up there four times a week and I have reduced my time from 44 to 26 minutes.”
It takes five days to climb Kilimanjaro, known as the “Roof of Africa”, and the pair will be assisted by local porters who will carry tents and some of the extensive kit up the 19,450ft peak.
Temperatures are expected to fall to minus 20 degrees Celsius at night and the pair plan to do the final climb in the dark when the snow freezes and makes climbing easier.
Frank, who is a Founder Patron of Mahdlo, explained his reasons for taking on this difficult challenge.
He said: “The kids of Oldham need Mahdlo and Mahdlo needs funds to continue their excellent work. Oldham is a much better place as a result of the work done at Mahdlo.
“I reckon it will take one and a half days to get back down to the pub after the climb!”
Ben, a long-time supporter of the Egerton Street Youth Zone, added: “Climbing mountains has never really been on a list of things I wanted to do but when Mahdlo asked for help I wasn’t going to say no.
“This is a massive personal as well as professional challenge.”
Online donation pages have been set up by both Frank and Ben and anyone looking to support their efforts can contact Claire Crossfield at Mahdlo on 0161 785 3862.
