Kyle’s Mount Kenya Fundraising Adventure

Because we’re more than just merchandise!

We’re a tight-knit bunch here at Fluid and are always looking out for each other. We love supporting our local communities, and we love to champion those that make Fluid such a wonderful place to work. 

In August, our Director of Strategy Kyle Scott embarked on a daring 8-day expedition to conquer the summit of Mount Kenya to raise funds for the Vanessa Grant Trust.

Who are the Vanessa Grant Trust?

The Vanessa Grant Trust is an educational charity based in the rural community
of Rongai, Kenya. They provide and improve education in local schools by supporting the
continuous development of facilities, helping teachers to develop their skills and acquire ongoing practical knowledge and training. They also develop bursary and mentorship support for students who need it most.

Read more: The Vanessa Grant Trust: An update from Rongai

Kyle’s Mount Kenya Fundraising Adventure

Towering at 5,199 meters (17,057 feet) high, Mount Kenya stands as Africa's second-highest peak, surpassed only by Kilimanjaro. And it’s definitely not a walk in the park! Thanks to a combination of challenging terrain, ice climbing routes and its proximity to the equator, Mount Kenya is certainly a challenging climb - but one worth doing to help those in need.

Congrats on completing your expedition, Kyle! First things first, why did you decide to summit Mount Kenya in the first place?!

“In 2023, a group of us decided we wanted to take on a challenge. Several of us have experience with high-altitude mountaineering, and some had already climbed Kilimanjaro. We wanted something that was difficult but not excessively dangerous. Since Fluid has supported the Vanessa Grant Trust in Kenya for many years - including hosting Soccer Aid Safari two years in a row - climbing Mount Kenya seemed like a tough but attainable goal!”

Read more: Soccer Aid Safari’s second-year success

It looked like a trip of a lifetime. What did your itinerary look like?

“I think it’s the most I’ve ever packed into 8 days, that’s for sure! 

From day 1 we were hiking. We started with a 10km hike to Meru Mount Kenya Bandas (which is 3,000m up). Then, from there, we spent the next couple of days climbing. We passed some incredible sights during our ascent, including Mugi, Ithanguni, the Giants Billiards Table, and some particularly breathtaking views over the Gorges Valley. 

Day 5 was our potential summit day of Batian, but due to bad weather (including snow!) we unfortunately couldn’t reach it. Instead, we managed to reach the top of Point Lenana - an amazing achievement considering the harsh conditions. 

We completed our descent over the next couple of days, returning to Nairobi on day 9.”

That sounds amazing, but super intense! Did you do anything to prepare for your climb?

“Yes, we spent 9 months preparing and organising multiple training trips to Wales, the Lake District, Scotland, and Switzerland. The training included a lot of technical climbing and rope work to prepare us for any hurdles we may come across.”

Talking of hurdles, what was the most challenging part of your trip?

“100% the weather! We didn’t expect snow and zero visibility that close to the equator.  The tough weather conditions meant we couldn’t summit Batian due to high winds, snow, and poor visibility. Camping at 4,200m in windy, snowy conditions was a challenging experience for sure. It goes without saying but I have the most immense respect and gratitude for the warm and resilient people of Kenya, who made this incredible experience possible.”

Challenging, but for an important cause. How much did you raise for the Vanessa Grant Trust? 

“I’m happy to announce we ended up raising £3,000! But thanks to Fluid’s match funding scheme, this has been doubled to an amazing £6,000.”

That’s fantastic! How will the funds raised help the Vanessa Grant Trust? 

“The Vanessa Grant Trust currently has several projects that need funding and this £6,000 will help bring those to life. Fluid has raised over £20,000 for the charity this year, and some of the team will be travelling to Kenya in the next 12 months to help with the projects.”

I’ve got to ask, was there any merch you couldn’t live without on your trip?!

“Where would we be without our merch?! Well, I know for a fact my trip would have been insanely more challenging without my branded rucksack and Fluid beanie (it was so cold!). And I also wouldn’t have been without my 20,000mAh powerbank at the top of Mount Kenya - how else would I have charged my camera to take all these incredible pictures?!”

Thanks for catching up with us, Kyle! Before we go, if you could summarise your experience in 3 words, what would they be?

“Enlightening, challenging and humbling!”

Make every moment monumental

We’re here to help you and our team dream big. 

Whether that’s through meaningful merchandise or helping the communities we love. 

We’re all about making a big, beautiful, positive impact whenever we can! 

Want to read more about the amazing fundraising we do for charities we’re passionate about? Check out our other fundraising stories below. 

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