Recently, Old Suttonian Richard Fetherston (1978 W) completed a climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro in aid of the charity The Snow Sports Foundation, which he founded in 2015. The aim of the charity is to generate funds to promote and deliver snow sports opportunities, either individually or in groups from schools, colleges or social groups, to a range of people with additional needs, mental health challenges, disabilities, financial hardship and social or exceptional circumstances.

The idea for The Snow Sports Foundation stemmed from a chance encounter one day with a young autistic boy who wanted to learn to ski. Richard volunteered to teach him and was amazed to discover what a transformative effect the experience had on the young boy. From there, the idea grew. In a world where one in 40 children have a special educational need, from mild through to the most severe, there is a real need for opportunities like this.

Richard’s motivation for this challenge was not only to raise awareness of the charity’s activities, but also in honour of his brother, who sadly lost his battle with pancreatic cancer over ten years ago and also to prove to himself that he could do it.

When Richard decided to undertake the Kilimanjaro trek, he made the conscious decision to “go it alone” and test not only his physical abilities, but also his mental strength to overcome the challenges the climb would present. As a pupil at Sutton Valence School, Richard enjoyed sports, and perhaps his trick of managing to traverse the length of a corridor in Westminster by swinging from the water pipes hinted at his penchant for the more adventurous side of sport!

Richard managed to raise just over £3,500 for The Snow Sports Foundation, which will fund 30 lessons for children to enhance their social, emotional and communication skills, whilst improving fitness, balance, concentration and self-confidence. The whole experience for the students can be life changing, and they often show a difference within ten to 15 minutes of skiing. The opportunity is also invaluable to the wider family, who can relax safe in the knowledge that their child is being cared for and having an enriching experience.

If you would like further information, or would like to donate to The Snow Sports Foundation please visit its website, www.snowsportsfoundation.org.uk.

Not content with Kilimanjaro, Richard has now started training for an ascent to Everest Base Camp next October, and then up another 1000ft to Kala Patthar at 18,500ft. If you would like to sponsor him, please follow this link to his JustGiving page  https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/thesnowsportsfoundationcharity.