FIVE friends with strong links to Warrington are preparing to take on one of the world’s most famous mountains, Kilimanjaro after raising around £20,000 for a grassroots charity supporting women and children in Tanzania.
Michael Challinor, Marc Bott, Kieran Doherty, Ross Waldron and Paul Warburton set off to Tanzania today, Monday, September 28, before beginning a demanding six-day trek up Mount Kilimanjaro along the Rongai Route.
The friends have spent months fundraising for Mamatoto, which works directly with rural communities in Tanzania to improve maternal healthcare and support children in education.
Their fundraising has included a series of events in Warrington and Frodsham, with friends, family, local businesses and members of the community all getting behind the challenge.
Mamatoto combines maternal healthcare training with educational support, including providing Traditional Birth Attendants with modern skills and equipment to help make childbirth safer and more hygienic.
The charity also helps children access essential supplies so they can remain in education.
The impact of donations can be significant, with £10 providing an hour of training for a Traditional Birth Attendant, £50 helping to provide a labour essentials kit and £100 providing school equipment for children.
For the five climbers, the challenge has therefore been about much more than reaching the summit.
Marc Bott is a director at AI Lighting and is married with two children. His wife, Kim, helped establish Mamatoto and has played a central role in the charity’s work.
Michael Challinor, 45, has lived in Frodsham for 15 years. Married to Lisa, he has an eight-year-old daughter, Ruby, and works as a commercial manager in the tobacco industry. He enjoys sport and spending time outdoors.
Kieran Doherty is Operations Director at Barrow Electrical and enjoys socialising, gym training and watching Warrington Rylands.
Ross Waldron, 39, is originally from Warrington and is a father of two. He previously served in the Armed Forces and now works in automation in Manchester. Away from work he enjoys going to the gym and taking on DIY projects.
Paul Warburton is owner of Ryfields Gym and the Blue Bunker at Warrington Rylands. A Royal Air Force Physical Training Instructor, he is married with two children and also volunteers with 1330 Warrington Squadron Royal Air Force Air Cadets.
Paul said:“This is going to be a huge physical and mental challenge for all five of us, but knowing what the money will provide for women and children in Tanzania will keep us moving when things get difficult.
“We have been overwhelmed by the support shown at our fundraising events in Warrington and Frodsham. Raising around £20,000 is an incredible achievement, but we would love people to keep supporting us as we take on the mountain.”
The group hopes to keep supporters updated throughout their adventure and is hoping the challenge will generate further donations for Mamatoto.
Donations can be made through the team’s JustGiving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kimberley-bott
More information about Mamatoto via
https://mamatoto.org.uk?utm_source=chatgpt.com
The charity can also be followed on Instagram at @mamatoto.
Pictured: From left, Michael Challinor, Marc Bott, Kieran Doherty, Ross Waldron and Paul Warburton during a training walk ahead of their Mount Kilimanjaro challenge.*
