Keith Irvine, Supply Chain Director Europe at Moy Park, along with 12 other leading food industry figures will leave the UK today to face a gruelling seven-day hike up and across Mount Elgon, an extinct volcano that straddles the Uganda-Kenya border, to raise funds for the international charity Farm Africa.
Along the way, Keith will visit Farm Africa projects in both Uganda and Kenya to see first-hand how the money they raise will positively impact the lives of farming families in eastern Africa.
Keith Irvine said: “I feel honoured to represent Moy Park, who has been a supporter of Farm Africa’s life-changing work since 2011. Trekking the mountain will be incredibly tough, making the challenge a powerful manifestation of the food sector’s commitment to ending poverty in Africa.”
Upon arrival, the group will travel to Teso sub-region in eastern Uganda to visit Farm Africa’s Sweet potatoes for prosperity project. The food industry experts will meet local farmers working with Farm Africa, and gain an insight into how the organisation is helping local people earn more from their agricultural efforts through improved production, post-harvest handling and marketing of vitamin A rich orange-fleshed sweet potatoes.
The group will then embark on the seven-day hike up Mount Elgon. The 100-kilometre route, which will has never been walked before, will take them through thick montane forest, into deep gorges and up the mountain’s four peaks and into Kenya. The trek will be mentally and physically challenging, with the team sleeping in tents along the way, carrying heavy bags and walking at high altitudes. Between them, the team aims to raise £100,000 for Farm Africa.
The team and Farm Africa would be delighted if you could consider sponsoring them online at: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fund/MountElgonChallenge
Follow the action on Twitter using #MountElgonTrek
(Photo from previous trek in Tanzania)
