06 Feb 2026
There are just days to go before a team of St Albans business leaders embark on their biggest-ever challenge – climbing Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro to raise much-needed funds for local charity Youth Talk.
The 24-strong group features a who’s who from the St Albans business community, including Amthal Fire and Security’s Paul and Amanda Rosenthal, former Rumball Sedgewick owner and ex-Chamber of Commerce President Alistair Woodgate, Youth Talk’s fundraising and partnerships manager Jim Lewis, and co-founder of BUNKUM Rum Alfie Jourdan.
They will hike over six days using the Machame Route, making their way through diverse landscapes ranging from rainforest to alpine desert.
The trek involves seven to 12 hours of walking every day, with the last day of the ascent involving walking through the night by torchlight to the summit – a height of 5,995 metres (19,341ft).
The Kilimanjaro challenge is the brainchild of Alfie, who said it had been on his bucket list since he was 15.
“So many times over the years I have had conversations with various friends saying ‘If you ever do it, let me know, I would love to come along’, however, over the years nothing ever materialised.
“Then, in July of 2024 I turned 30 and had the realisation that this crazy idea would only happen if I were to be the one to organise it, so that’s exactly what I did. Once the hangover had cleared I set about researching everything I could on organising this trip, and now with just over a week to go it all seems slightly too real all of a sudden!“
He’s been training hard over the past year: “I decided tick off some other milestones as well such as walking the entire length of Hadrian’s Wall, walking parts of the South Down Way, and also getting up to The Lakes a few times.
“However, I also used this as an opportunity to get out walking and exploring locally around St Albans as well, I’ve become very fond of a 30km circular route that takes in St Albans, Heartwood Forest, Harpenden, Redbourn, Gorhambury and Verulamium. In addition to this, there are some great routes around the Chilterns that have helped get in some hill climbs!”
When it comes to the trek itself, he’s looking forward to disconnecting from the real world and immersing himself in nature: “We live in a society where you are always checking your phone, or feeling your watch ping with a notification, I think it will be a huge benefit to let go of that for a short while and enjoy the world we live in with a group of people who share the same goal for the duration.”
It was Alfie’s decision to choose Youth Talk as the beneficiary of the £40-50K which they hope to raise from the climb.
“There are many fantastic charities out there all doing some incredible work however when I set out to do this challenge I always wanted to be doing it for a local charity.
“Having started my career in the educational sector and seeing the growing need for support that Youth Talk offers young people in our district, it felt like the right charity to be raising money and awareness for.
“The charity is a lifeline for a growing number in our district and knowing that with every step we take on the mountain, goes to support local members of our community when they need it the most might just be that last bit of motivation needed to keep pushing us up there!
“As the saying on the mountain goes ‘polé, polé’ which means ‘slowly, slowly’, together we can make a difference.”
Amthal director Paul Rosenthal, 53, said the challenge was a way of proving something to himself as well as supporting such a worthy cause: “I don’t need to do this – but I’d regret not doing it.
“I’m taking on the challenge to support Youth Talk because too many young people struggle in silence. Mental health, confidence, and feeling heard can shape the course of a life, and early support really matters.
“This trek is a personal challenge, but more importantly it’s a way to raise awareness and funds so Youth Talk can continue giving young people the support they deserve. If my discomfort can help create even a small positive change, it’s worth it.
“My wife Amanda and I have been training hard for almost a year with our dedicated support and personal trainer – ‘Bingo’ our eight-year-old labrador – including Snowdonia and the Peaks, in an effort to trek technical climbs that hopefully support our training along with many local walks with huge weights in our back packs.”
Amanda, 51, added: “I have a fear of heights so I’m not looking forward to the Barranco Walk and as a Raynaud sufferer the cold weather will be challenging.”
Carol Twidell, 52, a marketing consultant from Sandridge, was inspired to take part after joining Youth Talk’s board of trustees last year: “It’s a great motivation to focus on the extra young people we can help by fundraising for this challenge.”
As someone who is profoundly deaf and wears cochlear implants, she is conscious that this might affect her balance on the trek: “I’ll need to take lots of disposable batteries as there’s no power to charge them and they might deplete quicker in the cold. I also can’t hear a thing at night when I take them off – but a bonus if my tent buddy snores though!”
Redbourn resident Justin Deans, 58, who works in property management, has supported Youth Talk for years: “In a perfect world it would be centrally funded, but it’s not. I’m a father of two, so it breaks my heart when I hear stories of young people struggling, and when the opportunity came about to physically do something for the charity it was a no brainer.”
But although he’s looking forward to the adventure and achievement of the trek, he’s under no illusions about the obstacles along the way: “The final peak ascent is seven hours, single file in the dark, starting at midnight. That sounds mentally challenging as well as physically!”
At 62, Alastair Woodgate will be the oldest member of the group, but has been training at the gym four or five times a week in preparation.
He explained why he was inspired to take part: When I stopped working, I said I was thinking of it as taking the gap year I never had when I left school! Well, that gap year has now been two years, so it was about time I did the travel bit!
“More seriously, I’ve wanted to find something meaningful to do, now that I have more spare time, and something that would challenge me and take me out of my comfort zone.
“When Alfie mentioned this trek it seemed the right thing at the right time, for a charity that plays such a vital role in our community. Every young person should be able to talk to someone who can help with whatever is worrying them. I don’t have children, but I want to feel I’ve contributed to nurturing and supporting future generations in whatever way I can.”
Youth Talk’s Jim Lewis blamed Alfie for recruiting him for the challenge: “He didn’t give me enough time to think it through! I’ve done a lot of research on this, and I’ve come to the conclusion that the best approach is to adopt the theory that it will be alright on the day!”
He said he’s looking forward to the feeling at the end of the trek knowing he’s done something slightly ridiculous for a really good cause: “Also the swimming pool and the beer!”
The team leave for Tanzania on February 13, but you can still support their efforts by donating to their Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/team/trek-kilimanjaro-2026
