Trio of ExxonMobil Fawley colleagues conquer Mount Kilimanjaro - raising over £6,000 for charity

Process Team members Emma Mumford, Adam Smith and Gary Algar are colleagues at ExxonMobil Fawley. Spurred on by ExxonMobil Fawley’s pledge to donate £2,000 towards their cause, they decided to take on the 5,896m feat to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK and the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation.

"The two charities hold special significance for us” said Emma. “Both myself and Adam have Ulcerative Colitis, a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the digestive tract.

“I am also a breast cancer survivor, and both Adam and Gary have had family members affected by cancer, so it felt right to raise money for both charities that are equally important to us all.”

With a dedicated training regime under their belts, the trio headed to Africa; Joining a team of six, plus four porters, one cook and two guides, the colleagues embarked on the grueling six-day climb.

Facing altitude challenges and treacherous hikes, as well as Emma needing to carefully manage her flared Ulcerative Colitis symptoms, the group reached the summit, Uhuru Peak at 7am - just in time to witness a memorable sunrise and panoramic views.

Adam said, "Nearing our final ascent to Uhuru Peak, we reached the Kibo crater rim at 3am and saw the full moon. That was the moment that made me think, 'we made it'. Less than 1.5 miles later, we hit the summit, a truly unforgettable experience which made all our hard work worth it."

Since returning, the three friends are already considering more climbs, with both Adam and Emma contemplating Everest Base Camp in Nepal as a future challenge. Emma has also set her sights on walking the Welsh coastal path – a total of 870 miles.

Gary, a father of two, is planning his next adventure to be a little closer to home and would like to tackle Wales’s highest mountain, Mount Snowdon, with his sons.

"The perspective I've gained is immeasurable," said Gary. "It’s not just about conquering mountains but about the lessons we impart to the next generation."