Press Releases
JACKSON EMPLOYEE KEITH KEARNES CLIMBS KILIMANJARO
20th October 2008
A Jackson Building Centres employee finally made the climb to the top of the world’s highest free standing, snow-capped mountain, Kilmanjaro in Tanzania, five and a half years after his first charity attempt.
Returning to Britain just three weeks ago, Keith Kearnes, who works in the Timber Warehouse at the Lincoln builders merchant branch conquered the mountain challenge in 8 days – 6 days up and 2 down.
Previously Keith had attempted the climb, but at 5,486 metres took a turn for the worse when the potentially life threatening effects of altitude sickness took hold. However he still managed to raise a huge £2,500 for the charity, Christian Partners in Africa, to build a much needed health centre in Milawi.
This time though, Keith wanted to honour his sponsors and said of the climb, “It has been such a fantastic achievement, and I feel better knowing that I haven’t let down any of the people who sponsored me the first time round.”
One thing Keith knows now is, “I enjoyed the climb, nevertheless I won’t be going back again!”
Keith trekked with another nine intrepid travellers from Iceland, Ireland, Edinburgh and London as well as his friend from Lincoln, all of whom braved temperatures down to as little as minus fifteen degrees at night.
Colin Bartleet, Marketing Manager at Jackson Building Centres said, “I can remember when Keith undertook the challenge those few years ago, and everyone at Jacksons was proud he had climbed so far and relieved he recovered safely from the high altitude symptoms. This time round though it has been great to see him pluck up the courage to try again and come through it unscathed. It is a tremendous feat and we are all extremely pleased he reached the peak.”