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Our colleagues return from Everest Base Camp after raising money for charity

Our colleagues return from Everest Base Camp after raising money for charity

Here’s to our colleagues- Edward, Vicki, Owen, and Steve- who recently** returned to Bolton after a two-week trek to Everest Base Camp (which sits at a staggering elevation of 5,364m) to raise money for charity.

Thanks to kind donations from colleagues, friends, family members, and other organisational partners, the total amount they’ve managed to raise for Reuben's Retreat has reached £12,500 (smashing their original target of £9,200).

Established in 2012 following the loss of an wonderful young boy- Reuben Michael Graham, Reuben’s Retreat supports families of complexly poorly children and families of child loss- much of which is provided from their ‘Forever Home’ in Glossop.

It’s a charity were proud to have supported for several years given the delightful impact it’s had on some of our colleagues and their families, and the money Edward, Vicki, Owen, and Steve have raised will go a long way in helping the charity to continue the heart-warming work it does. You can learn more Reuben’s Retreat here: www.reubensretreat.org.

"Take 20 strangers – drop them halfway around the world away from their loved ones – remove all usual creature comforts – add physical exhaustion, freezing temperatures, lack of oxygen, and questionable toilet facilities and what do you get?

"A team, behind one goal, raising a huge sum for a fantastic cause and without doubt one of the best things I have ever had the luck to be a part of.

"It was an absolute privilege and I just want to say a big thanks to all our supporters and to Bolton at Home for allowing us to do this for Reuben's Retreat." - Steve Roden, our Head of IT

"It was a real honour to be part of the Bolton at Home team supporting Reuben’s Retreat.

"The altitude, temperatures, and bridges were a real challenge- but the power of teamwork shone through with all of us reaching base camp and returning safely.

"I’ve made friends and memories for life and the support makes a huge difference to the families using Reuben’s Retreat." - Vicki Powell, our Head of Governance, Regulation, and Business Assurance

"The trip exceeded all of my expectations.

"I feel honoured and privileged to have been able to represent Bolton at Home on this expedition and give back to such a worthy cause in Reuben’s Retreat.

"I had the time of my life, made some lifelong friends and made memories that'll last a lifetime." - Owen Tomlin, our Gas and Electric Supervisor

"I think if we’d all been walking up to base camp as individuals, only about half would have made it on Saturday 16 April, but doing it as a group helped push people along and meant we all got there together. It was a massive relief to make it and several tears that the hardest part was over.

"Reaching base camp will always stand out, but the friendships developed with the other 12 people on trek who came from 4 different continents were another standout memory." - Edward Mellor, our Group Director of Finance

**Edward- our Group Director of Finance- completed his trek in aid of Reuben’s Retreat in 2022 as he couldn’t join Vicki, Owen, and Steve this year. The total amount raised includes contributions in support of both trips.

If you’re interested in new experiences and career opportunities with us, you can check latest vacancies and learn about employee benefits at: www.boltonathome.org.uk/jobs. Colleagues have told us that we’re a supportive employer, an ethical and community-focused organisation and that they’re motivated by the opportunity to make a difference with us.

Here are some stunning photos from our colleagues' experiences:

Owen, Vicki, and Steve at Everest Base Camp (2023)

Owen, Steve, and Vicki with Mount Everest behind them.

Vicki, Owen, and Steve pose with their trekking gear.

A plane at Lukla Airport

A long bridge on the trek.

Edward and his trekking team at Everest Base Camp (2022)

Mount Everest

A snowy mountain range.