Kilimanjaro team celebrate £105,000 raised for Kidscape at After Climb, After Chat event

Less than a month after reaching the summit, climbers gathered at Everflyht Vineyard in Ditchling on Sunday evening to celebrate raising over £100,000 (including Gift Aid) for UK bullying prevention charity Coram Kidscape.

The event was organised by Bright Cause, who led the wider fundraising and awareness campaign marking Kidscape’s 40th anniversary year.

The group of climbers - including Andrew Barton, Josh Braid, Anthea Turner and Dan Lustig - took on Mount Kilimanjaro in early February, reaching 5,895 metres after days of trekking through extreme altitude, freezing night temperatures and physical exhaustion. The expedition was delivered in partnership with Uncharted Summits and aimed to spotlight the devastating impact of bullying - an experience many young people describe as feeling like a mountain they cannot escape.

Guests at the Ditchling celebration heard reflections from climbers about the physical and emotional challenge of the ascent, alongside insight into the upcoming feature documentary, The Roof of Africa: Bullied - The Mountain We Face, which captured the journey from start to summit.

The evening also saw a series of light-hearted summit awards presented to members of the team. Cerri McDonald received the Uhuru Spirit Award for unstoppable determination, while Christopher Tipping was recognised with the “Pole Pole” Award for embracing Kilimanjaro’s slow-and-steady pace.

Tracey Harris took home the Layer Cake Award for outstanding wardrobe commitment, Paul Brogden was named Best Morale Booster, and Ollie Keuhne received the Overpacker Award. Simon Woodjetts was honoured with the ‘Still Smiling Somehow’ Award, while Rosee Elliott - the oldest member of the team at 75 years - was recognised as ‘Mama Simba’ for her strength and steady leadership throughout the expedition.

Lucy Black, Founder of Bright Cause, said:

“This campaign shows what’s possible when the right people come together around a cause that truly matters. From Sussex to the summit of Kilimanjaro, this has been a collective effort driven by purpose. Raising over £100,000 for Kidscape is something everyone involved should be immensely proud of - and with The Roof of Africa: Bullied – The Mountain We Face set to premiere later this year, the impact of this climb is only just beginning.”

Funds raised from the climb will directly support Coram Kidscape’s work providing practical advice, specialist support and training to children, families and schools across the UK.

The entire expedition was filmed and will form the basis of the forthcoming documentary, expected to premiere later this year at a London red-carpet screening.