Our team at OLMA, a boutique asset manager, found out about Downside Up only when one of our team members mentioned that he was going to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in October 2015. As humble as he is, only after we insisted on knowing why, he told us that he had challenged himself to climb Mount Kilimanjaro year after year to raise money and awareness for the Downside Up charity. Challenging oneself to climb Africa's highest mountain is nothing compared to the daily struggle felt by children with Down syndrome and we felt that we were also willing to take on that challenge. Last year 7 of us decided we would try to reach the top of the roof of Africa altogether.

Stronger from this experience and with the 7 of us reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro last year, we decided we should not stop here and continue to raise funds and awareness for Downside Up by climbing other mountains. This September, we will take on our new challenge: climbing Mount Damavand (5,610m) in Iran, the highest mountain in the Middle East and highest volcano in Asia!

As a part of the charity effort, everyone that goes on the climb commits to raising €1,500 for this charity. Last year the whole team raised $19,378 and this year we expect to exceed this amazing amount! All the funds raised go straight to Downside Up to support children with Down syndrome.

All donations count! Even the smallest donation to our fundraising campaign is much appreciated and will contribute to make a difference for children who need it most.