Climbing Kilimanjaro for the Samson Centre

At the end of June, Andy Symmonds, Managing Partner of our EMEA business unit, plans to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania to raise money for charity. At 5,895m (19,341 ft) above sea level, Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest mountain and single free-standing mountain above sea level globally. 

Andy has climbed higher mountains in Ecuador and Nepal, but he has always set his sights on Kilimanjaro to add another high mountain on a third continent. When quizzed about this, Andy stated, "It’s always good to have goals in both your professional and personal life to give you something to strive for. Just as it has been a challenge to start up and build the ProcureVue business with a lot of planning and effort, we are taking the same approach to climb Kilimanjaro. We are already training our legs and cardiovascular systems to be able to keep going up the mountain as the air gets thinner and trying to anticipate potential obstacles.” 

Having a good support team is also essential to success both in business and climbing. Andy will climb with a group led by professional climbers supported by a team of porters. The climb is expected to take eight days from start to summit to return. 

Part of the motivation for Andy is that he will use the climb to raise money for the Samson Centre in Guildford, England. The headline aim of the Samson Centre is ‘Empowering people living with Multiple Sclerosis,’ and precisely what they do. The Samson Centre assists people with MS at any stage, from early diagnosis onwards. It provides tremendous support for the MS community. 

Andy was quite clear when asked why he had selected the Samson Centre. The Samson Centre was founded by an old rugby pal from Old Actonian’s RFC, John Hambly OBE. John’s aim was to create a space where people with MS could come and benefit from their services, and he has really managed to deliver this. Andy stated, "I wanted to support John and the team as it is a great cause. I know how much hard work has gone into creating and developing the Samson Centre, and I know that all contributions will be well spent and not get lost in administrative costs.” 

If you want to know more about the Samson Centre and the incredible work that they do, visit their webpage at: 

https://samsoncentre.org.uk  

If you would like to help us with our quest to raise money for the Samson Centre and donate to the cause, please follow the link below to Just Giving:  

https://www.justgiving.com/page/andy-symmonds-1679475354389?newPage=true