Transport industry representatives prepare for Transaid Ethiopia trek challenge

Transport industry representatives are hoping to raise £35,000 for Transaid by taking part in a gruelling five-day trek in Ethiopia – the first of its kind to be organised by the charity.

The group has been sponsored to hike for up to nine hours each day over the spectacular but challenging Simien mountains, which include peaks more than 4,000 metres high.

Beginning and ending their journey in the capital Addis Ababa, participants will travel through Gonder and as far as Bewahit and are expected to encounter a range of wildlife on their journey through the World Heritage site including the gelada baboon, Simien fox and endangered walia ibex.

All money raised will benefit Transaid’s Professional Driver Training Projects and schemes to improve access to healthcare for pregnant women in Nigeria.

Transaid CEO Chris Saunders said: "This is the first trek we have ever organised and these fundraisers face a difficult test, but it will be an incredible journey and we are very grateful to them for all their efforts. We wish them a safe and successful journey."

The seven transport industry representatives taking part are: John Stocker, Commercial Director at Acumen Logistics; Colin Burman, Head of Logistics at Ann Summers; Clare Bottle, Logistics Specialist at Clare Bottle Limited; Emma Glue, Marketing Co-ordinator at Global Freight Solutions; Karen Kerslake, Head of Marketing and PR at Virgin Atlantic Cargo; John Smith, HR Manager at Wincanton and Stacey McAllister, HR Officer also at Wincanton.

Joining them will be Kathryn Alston, HR Business Partner at Cafcass; Iulia Calota, Account Manager at Euro RSCG Worldwide; and Transaid’s Marketing and Events Executive, Aggie Krasnolucka-Hickman.

To sponsor the team visit www.justgiving.com/transaid. For more information visit: www.transaid.org.