Eight men to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for charity

Stephen Shea, Simon Regan, James Keeling, Ryan Mathers, Patrick Altimus, John Finnerty, Lee Ashworth, and Liam Jones will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania during the last week of January

A group of eight men from across the Rochdale borough will be climbing Africa’s highest mountain this month to raise money for a number of charities and good causes.

Stephen Shea, 50, of Norden; Simon Regan, 42, of Castleton; James Keeling, 42, of Hopwood; Ryan Mathers, 43, of Rochdale, Patrick Altimus, 45; John Finnerty, 43, of Heap Bridge; Lee Ashworth, 43, of Castleton, and Liam Jones, 23, of Castleton, will be climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania during the last week of January.

The group will be raising money for a variety of charities, including Rochdale & District Mind, The Stroke Association, Macmillan and a trip to the Netherlands for a youth football team.

Quantity surveyor Stephen is hoping to raise £1,500 for Rochdale & District Mind in memory of his late friend, John Burke.

He said: “I’m raising awareness and money for mental health in memory of a good friend of mine John Burke, who sadly passed away last year. I’m hoping to raise at least £1,500.”

Telecomms engineer James Keeling and assistant manager Ryan Mathers are each aiming to raise £1,000 for their respective charities, the Stroke Association and Macmillan, whilst construction site machine operator Patrick Altimus is raising funds towards a £4,500 trip to Amsterdam for the Shawclough Warriors grassroots team.

Most of the team climbed Germany’s highest mountain, the 2,962m Zugspitze, in June 2022; Kilimanjaro is twice the height of Zugspitze at 5,895m.

Stephen added: “We all enjoy mountaineering and the opportunity to climb the world’s highest free-standing mountain and highest point in Africa is a great challenge.”

Donations can be made via specific crowdfunding appeals:

• Stephen – Rochdale & District Mind – www.gofundme.com/f/ny8p9-john-burke
• James – the Stroke Association – www.gofundme.com/f/xs4cw-kilimanjaro
• Ryan – Macmillan – www.gofundme.com/f/killimanjaro-summit-in-aid-of-macmillan
• Patrick – Shawclough Warriors’ trip – please contact Patrick directly on paddya20@icloud.com