As you may know, seven years ago I climbed Mount Kenya. Once I finally reached the bottom, and after a day of not being able to move over a foot at a time, I told myself, and everyone else, that I would never climb a mountain again. However, I have just broken my promise by signing up to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in August for the Sarah Groves Foundation.

Sarah Groves was a family friend of mine who, aged 24, was tragically murdered by being stabbed 45 times whilst travelling in India in April last year. As you may have seen in the news, no one has yet been prosecuted and the trial is proving a long and arduous process. Her family has been completely devastated by her death, but have set up a charity in her name in order to continue Sarah’s legacy. 

Sarah was passionate about charity work, art, fitness and adventure. She too climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, which is why the group (made up of 35 of her family and friends) have decided to follow in her footsteps. All of the money which is raised for the charity will go towards funds related to either children or art. The ‘children’ funds will provide facilities, experiences and opportunities to young persons under the age of 16 that would otherwise be out of their reach financially or from an organisational perspective.  In many cases participants will come from deprived backgrounds both locally and overseas. The ‘art’ funds will also provide educational experiences, opportunities and equipment to young persons under the age of 21 that would otherwise be out of their reach financially or organisationally. 20% of funds available within the ‘art’ category go towards an art bursary at Sarah’s school in Ascot where she spent 7 very happy years and where they still have very fond memories of her. The memorial fund has full Trust status and is administered by the Guernsey Community Foundation: www.foundation.gg. 

Any donations, however large or small, will be greatly welcomed. We each have the target of raising at least £2,800 in order to give the charity the funds it needs to begin making the type of difference that Sarah’s memory deserves.