CHARITY
These supporters made every step count for The Teesside Charity by climbing Africa’ s highest summit – and you could too!
Summit – Paul and Alex got that winning feeling after completing their climb.
Preparation – Alex Hirst and Paul Gaukroger of platinum patron Pneuma Group in training for their trek up Mount Kilimanjaro.
ON TOP OF THE WORLD
Earlier this year, a team of incredible supporters of The Teesside Charity took on Mount Kilimanjaro and raised an amazing £ 13,400 to help change lives in the region.
We caught up with Alex Hirst and Paul Gaukroger of platinum patron Pneuma Group and Laura Tarran of patron Racz Group to hear about their experience and why they’ re encouraging you to take on this challenge for charity.
Q: What inspired you to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for charity? Alex: Being a trustee of the charity was a big motivation for me. At the beginning of the year, I set myself a challenge to do something outside of my comfort zone. When I received an email about the opportunity, it felt like the perfect way to combine that personal challenge with supporting a cause I care deeply about. Paul: I supported The Teesside Charity in my previous job and wanted to continue my commitment in my new position at Pneuma Group. It was one of the first opportunities that came through when I joined, and it felt like a great way to get involved straight away and give back to a cause close to home. Laura: Taking on this challenge felt like the natural next step for me. I’ ve already participated in a variety of fundraising events for the charity, and having recently joined a fitness dance group, I thought why not see if I could dance my way to the top while supporting a great cause?
Q: Why was it important for you to raise funds for The Teesside Charity? Alex: Witnessing the dedication and passion of my fellow trustees to make a real difference is truly inspiring and I wanted to play my part. Paul: It’ s the first time I’ ve come across a charity that truly acts as a touchpoint across so many different areas. It’ s inspiring to contribute to an organisation that helps so many people in so many ways. There’ s a cause that resonates with everyone. Laura: Being based in Teesside, I love that it allows me to give back locally while helping a wide range of causes. From a business perspective, it’ s particularly rewarding to contribute to an organisation that has such a broad and positive impact, as it means so many people from the business can have their causes supported.
Q: What would you say to others thinking of taking on the challenge? Alex: I would say do it! If you’ re up for something adventurous and want to take on a challenge, go for it. The whole experience is out of this world and the people guiding you on the trek are incredibly happy, welcoming individuals, who are a pleasure to be around. Paul: This challenge really ticks a massive box for personal achievement. Physically, it’ s not overly demanding, but the reward is huge. You also get to experience the local ecosystem and the lives of the people who live and work there every day. Laura: If you’ re taking on this challenge, you need to be mentally committed. It’ s as much a mental test as it is a physical one, if not more.
Q: If there’ s one message you’ d like people to take away from this piece, what would it be? Alex: Absolutely do the hard things you want to. You will meet some amazing people along the way and have some great conversations where you will learn a lot about their lives and their motivations for conquering Mount Kilimanjaro. Paul: You can do it! Just believe in yourself. Motivation is about doing something as an achievement. The reward is massive, so don’ t be put off. Laura: It’ s a phenomenal team effort. No one climbs that mountain alone. You come to realise just how loved and supported you are, from those who donate to those who help you every step of the way up the mountain.
Will your story be next? Be part of next year’ s Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Trek for The Teesside Charity from September 15 to September 25, 2026.
Visit teessidecharity. org. uk to find out more.
Victory – Laura Tarran of Racz Group flies the flag at the top of the mountain.
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