Getting to know: Kelly’s Heroes Climb Kilimanjaro – Sarah Ball

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.

Next up we hear from our ‘STY-Master’ and challenge organiser, Sarah Ball!

Name: Sarah Ball

Job title: Joint MD and Sty-master

Company: Balls2 Marketing & People in Glazing society AKA PiGs

How long you’ve been there? 14 / 10 years

How long have you been in the glazing industry in total? 20 years

Why are you climbing Kilimanjaro? After completing the European Leg of the Loneliest Road Cycle Ride in 2022 supporting Kelly’s Heroes, I knew that I wanted to continue my support for them. Andy, my husband and business partner, was part of the support team and we wanted to do something we could both take part in. We love walking and Kilimanjaro was on our bucket list. Teams raise far more money than individuals, so we set about creating a team of people mostly from the glazing industry to climb Kilimanjaro.

How are you preparing? We live in Derby which is the perfect location for training. We are never more than a few steps away from a hill both up and down! I am also running a couple of times a week and completed a 10k in 56 minutes and 57 seconds, plus I have recently done a 100 mile cycle ride as part of my endurance training. Finally, I practice yoga 2-3 times a week, to protect my joints and keep flexible.

What are you least looking forward to? The altitude, I experienced a few hours of altitude sickness when I trekked the Inca Trail in 2015.

What are you most looking forward to? We should be at the summit at sunrise. I think I will shed a few tears of joy, relief and thanks at that moment.

What does Kelly’s Heroes mean to you? Spending time with John, Kelly’s dad on the European ride made me realise how important the charity is. They get no money apart from charitable donations, so its vital for them to have events like this to support the work they do.

Link to your Just giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kellysheroessarah