The Sandbag Times Issue No: 50

Fundraiser climbs mountain
in aid of charity
A logistics firm director has reached new heights after
climbing Africa’s highest mountain for charity.
Mark Elward, who lives in Worcester, scaled Mount
Kilimanjaro in aid of Turn to Starboard, a sailing charity
helping Armed Forces personnel affected by military
operations.
The challenge saw Mark and two friends climb almost
6,000m high to reach the top of the mountain at
Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania. He was inspired
to trek to the summit in aid of the charity as part of his
ongoing support to help injured veterans.
Turn to Starboard use sail training to support injured
veterans and has helped many start new careers in
the marine industry. The charity, based at Falmouth in
Cornwall, was set up four years ago and believes sailing
has a therapeutic effect on veterans and has provided
almost 2,000 sailing opportunities.
Mark and his group trained for over a year to prepare
to reach the summit, by trekking at the Brecon
Beacons in Wales, and finally set off for their adventure
on October 21.
And for the 52-year-old, having the opportunity to
climb to one of the world’s most iconic volcanoes, is a
bucket list dream come true.
“The idea of Kilimanjaro has been on my bucket list
for a few years now and last year myself and a group
of friends decided to set a date and start training. Turn
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