STAFF at a Swindon-based business have rallied to support a colleague training to climb Kilimanjaro for a good cause.

Eclipse Labels in Equity Trade Centre on Hobley Drive has pledged to donate £5 to quality assurance and quality control manager Kerry Abbott's fundraising total for every order placed.

Kerry, from Wroughton, signed up for the challenge in November and hopes to raise £2,000 for Prospect Hospice before she attempts to reach the mountain's peak during a trek which the pandemic postponed to January 2022

She said: “I’ve completed a lot of smaller challenges to raise money for charity. I’ve done Prospect’s Starlight Walks in the past and last year I did the 100km Race to the Stones for Help for Heroes.

" When I saw the Kilimanjaro trek, I knew it was something I wanted to do, especially in support of such a great charity, which has supported my family in the past.

"The things they do and go through every day are wonderful and it’s so much more than just end of life care.

“When Covid hit, I realised fundraising would be difficult, even now with the extra time as the trek has been pushed back a year, as everyone needs all the pennies they have.

"However, with the donation from Eclipse on every order, I hope to be able to hit my target and maybe raise more.”

She has been training by climbing the peaks of Great Britain - the latest being Ben Nevis - and has climbed Pen Y Fan several times, with plans to tackle Snowdon and the complete Three Peaks challenge in the coming year.

But the fundraising feat poses more than just a physical challenge.

She added: “I’ve never travelled or been on an aeroplane alone before, so the complete experience including flying to Tanzania will be a challenge for me.

"I’m doing everything I can to be prepared for it, but it’s also the altitude change that you just can’t prepare for. When I get to Kilimanjaro I will be walking seven hours a day over a week on very different terrain. Luckily, they provide everything we need to climb Kilimanjaro safely so we’ll be taking it slowly to allow us to acclimatise.”

Sheryl Crouch from Prospect Hospice said: “This is a wonderful idea from Eclipse Labels to help Kerry reach her fundraising target, we really appreciate this ongoing support towards the work of the hospice from both them and Kerry at this time. The Kilimanjaro trek is a great challenge and I hope Kerry enjoys every minute when the time comes to get those walking boots on.

“With our events cancelled and our shops closed earlier this year, it’s been a difficult time for those fundraising for us so we’re excited to see innovative ways such as this that means the money still comes in and we’re able to continue to support those at the end of their lives with our specialist care.”

Eclipse Labels designs and prints security labels, promotional self adhesive stickers and specialist labels for the food and drink sectors.

Visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/KerryAbbott2