December 1st, 2022.



A team of 15 automotive industry leaders have just returned victorious from the summit of Kilimanjaro, having raised almost £200,000 for automotive industry charity, Ben to date. There is still further to climb to reach the £300,000 fundraising target, so Ben is now calling for final donations.

Last week, Ben’s intrepid explorers took on a gruelling six-day expedition known as the ‘ILC The Climb’ where they scaled the highest free-standing mountain on earth – Kilimanjaro – whose peak stands at an astonishing 5,985m high. The challengers trekked and climbed through five climate zones during this epic journey, ranging from rainforest to alpine desert and glacial Arctic.

Joining Ben’s own leaders – Matt Wigginton, Director of Partnerships, Engagement & Income, Zara Ross, Chief Executive, and Rachel Clift, Health & Wellbeing Director on this once-in-a-lifetime challenge were:

? LKQ Euro Car Parts -  Andy Hamilton and Anthony McAteer

? Hella - Neil Grant and Spencer Grinham

? Marshall Motor Group - Adrian Wallington and Clive McGregor

? Haymarket - Rachael Prasher and Jim Holder

? Partners& and Lawgistics - Leon Bosch and Joel Combes

? JCT600 - James Tordoff and Andy Bateman


Donate now!
The fundraising total is still climbing – if you’d like to make a donation to celebrate this huge achievement, click here. All funds raised will help Ben support automotive people who are struggling or in crisis.

The physically and mentally challenging ILC adventure was designed to fundraise £300,000 for Ben’s life-saving work in the automotive community, providing vital support to those facing life’s toughest challenges and who are struggling with their mental and physical health or wellbeing.

Matt Wigginton, Director of Partnerships, Engagement & Income at Ben, said: “We’re still buzzing from having reached the summit of the highest free-standing mountain in the world! It was an awe-

inspiring, yet incredibly tough and emotional experience which we did to raise life-saving funds so we can continue to support our automotive community when they climb their own mountains in life.

“We can’t thank our industry leaders enough for taking part in this epic challenge. We are also incredibly grateful to everyone who has donated so far – thank you. The current fundraising total is impressive, however we still have further to go to reach the peak of £300k, so we’re now welcoming final donations.”

This ILC challenge was also inspired by Sarah Sillars OBE, who took on Mount Kilimanjaro over 10 years ago, raising an incredible £38,000 for Ben.


Ben is here for those who work, or have worked, in the automotive industry and their family dependents. If you would benefit from some support or if someone you know might need us, don’t hesitate to get in touch via Ben's free and confidential helpline: 08081 311 333 or use the webchat at www.ben.org.uk. You can also access Ben’s out of hours text support line by texting BEN to 58258