Getting to know: Kelly’s Heroes Climb Kilimanjaro – Andrew Charlesworth

As part of the Kelly’s Heroes Climb Kilimanjaro charity fundraiser, we are getting to know the team taking on the incredible challenge between 12-21 September 2024.

Andrew Charlesworth of Profine Group is the next team member we hear from to get to know a bit better!

Name: Andrew Charlesworth

Job title: Director Global Category Management WarmCore

Company: Profine Group

How long you’ve been there? 10 years.

How long have you been in the glazing industry in total? 26 years.

Why are you climbing Kilimanjaro? It felt like the right time. I really love to challenge myself. Plus raising money for two charities is a great thing and a great opportunity.
It is also helping me to get fitter.

How are you preparing? Walking every day. I am also doing the longer walks with the Kilimanjaro team including Snowdon and Scafell Pike.

What are you least looking forward to? The toilet situation is not going to be great! And not being able to have a wash.

Also, as I’m not able to prepare for the altitude, that is potentially something I am potentially concerned about.

What are you most looking forward to? Taking part in this climb/experience as a team. My job is quite lonely at the moment travelling the world, so to actually spend 10 days with a team to get to know new people, and experience this together will be a lifechanging experience.

To be on top of that mountain, I think might be a bit emotional as well.

What does Kelly’s Heroes mean to you? Mental health charities like Kelly’s Heroes are very important at the moment. When my son Harry was first born, my mental health was really affected. The problem is finding the right support and Kelly’s Heroes straight away can put you in touch with people who can REALLY help.

It’s charities like Kelly’s Heroes that can make all the difference.

What does Harry’s Pals mean to you? Harry’s Pals is a brainchild of my wife, Hayley, and named after my son.

It’s taken me years to get to this point where I can talk about the charity, Harry and devote my time to speak about.

My son Harry, now eight, was born starved of oxygen, which has left him with the mental age of a three-month-old. This means he cannot walk, talk or eat.

When we were in that situation eight years ago, we were sent home with a very ill baby and told to look after a baby. Harry’s Pals aims to support the parents when going through something like this. It helps parents with their mental health by providing bespoke counselling sections & respite breaks to make memories with the families.

It’s great to be able to support both charities by doing this climb.

Link to your Just giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Andrew-Charlesworth-page