Contact: Katie Broome
Deloitte
Public Relations
+ 44 (0) 207 303 6359

In July a 39-strong Deloitte team embarked on a climb of Africa’s highest peak Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise money for charity.

The team of consulting professionals from across the UK succeeded in raising £128,000, in a single charity fundraising event after covering their costs. This is the largest amount of money ever raised by the consulting practice for their charity partners, the British Heart Foundation and Leukaemia Research.

On the mammoth trek up and the world’s tallest freestanding mountain, 39 consulting staff took the Marangu route to the summit, a five day climb which passed through five different climate zones, from rainforest to Artic conditions.

Neville Howard, partner in consulting at Deloitte and member of the group said: “We had to be prepared to walk in glaring hot sun and the freezing sub zero temperatures. To keep ourselves mentally fit and physically able we had to drink three litres of water a day and eat as much as possible to counter the huge amount of energy burnt off walking by up to twelve hours a day in tough conditions.”

Although the mountain is considered non-technical, which means advanced rock climbing skills are not necessary, participants had to prepare for high altitudes, gruelling physical exertion, hostile terrain and intense psychological strain.

Neville Howard added: “We knew it was going to be tough and that’s why training began 12 months before the trip. There’s no doubt it was worth every aching muscle, dizzy spell and bad stomach pain because the experience is unforgettable and it benefits good causes.”

Organiser Megan Mitrevski added: “The Kilimanjaro trip brought together a challenge and two good causes. It proved hugely satisfying setting a goal, working towards it for 12 months and achieving it. So much so that the group is eager to start planning another challenge for next year, where we will hopefully raise even more money for charity.”

According to National Geographic magazine, more than 20,000 hikers attempt to reach the 19,340 foot summit of Mount Kilimanjaro each year and often only 40% achieve it.

Out of the 39 climbers, 27 reached the top - Gilman’s Point, and 25 reached the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak.

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About Deloitte

In this press release references to Deloitte are references to Deloitte & Touche LLP which is among the country’s leading professional services firms, providing audit, tax, consulting and corporate finance services. Known as an employer of choice for innovative human resources programmes, it is dedicated to helping its clients and people excel. Deloitte & Touche LLP is the United Kingdom member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (‘DTT’), a Swiss Verein whose member firms are separate and independent legal entities.  Neither DTT nor any of its member firms has any liability for each other’s omissions.  Services are provided by member firms or their subsidiaries and not by DTT.  Deloitte & Touche LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.  The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press.

Deloitte & Touche LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press.