Andy Ridout, managing director of advance Training & Recruitment Services took to the stage at this year’s annual dinner at The Roundhouse in Derby to speak about his journey to the base camp of the world’s highest mountain: Mount Everest.
The annual networking dinner, hosted at Derby’s historic railway roundhouse, has come to be known as one of the largest gatherings of railway decision-makers outside London, hosting more than 600 industry professionals each year.
Sharing the stage with legendary adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes OBE – one of Andy’s personal heroes, recruitment guru Ridout described the battle with headaches, queasy stomachs, fatigue and freezing temperatures that challenged the team throughout the course of the trek.
The expedition was organised in aid of Railway Children, the international children’s charity that helps at-risk children on the streets of the UK, India and East Africa.
Following months of fundraising, Ridout was able to raise £8,420 for the children’s charity, helping take the team’s grand total up to a staggering £61,251. Put into context, a donation of just £19 can fund a rescue worker in India for an entire week, searching out and saving children at risk.
In his closing statement, Ridout called on the industry to get involved in the charity’s next big mission: an 11-day expedition to the heart of Africa to climb to the summit at Mount Kenya in September 2016.
advance-TRS’ very own marketing director, Victoria Turner, will be part of the expedition team, following years of fundraising behind the scenes for a number of Ridout’s charity challenges.
Taking the Sirimon Route, the trekkers will journey 4,985m over five days, cutting through dense rainforest, home to elephants, Cape buffalo, leopards and monkeys. Following the climb, the team will then travel to the Kenyan town of Kitale, spending the day there to witness first hand the effect that their fundraising efforts have on those who depend on it.
‘It’s inspiring to see so many from the rail industry come together to change the lives of thousands of disadvantaged people every year,’ commented Ridout, reflecting on the evening. ‘The Dinner at the Roundhouse continues to be one of the industry’s best-loved events, bringing together the industry’s biggest executives all under one remarkable roof.’
You can support Vicky by visiting her fundraising page at: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/advanceTRS
If you’re looking to get involved in the expedition to Mount Kenya, contact Katie Mason at Railway Children on 01270 757596 or [email protected]
‘Together, we can all advance.’
