02 Mar 2026
A team of St Albans business leaders supporting local charity Youth Talk have been reflecting on their recent gruelling trek up Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro.
The five day trek involved seven to 12 hours of walking every day using the Machame Route, with the last day of the ascent a torchlit nightwalk to the summit, which stands at 5,995 metres (19,341ft).
The group of 24 includes Amthal’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, marketing consultant Carol Twidell, property manager Justin Deans, and co-founder of BUNKUM Rum Alfie Jourdan.
The group’s efforts will support Youth Talk’s mission to offer free, confidential face to face counselling for 13-25 year olds in the St Albans district, and you can still donate here: https://www.justgiving.com/team/trek-kilimanjaro-2026
Youth Talk CEO David Barker said: “I am truly inspired and in awe of what this team has achieved.
“Climbing Kilimanjaro is an incredible feat of personal and team endurance and resilience – but doing so to support our local young people facing mental health challenges makes it even more profoundly meaningful.
“There is no doubt their determination and tremendous fundraising efforts will change and in some cases save local young lives. Their selfless efforts will mean that vulnerable young people will be able to access the support, stability and hope they deserve.”
Trek organiser Alfie Jourdan told the St Albans Times: “What can I say, Trek Kilimanjaro in aid for Youth Talk has been an amazing experience for multiple reasons.
“Bringing together such a wide ranging group of people who were all on the mountain for six days, living and eating together through the highs and the lows is something quite special.
“The summit night was one of the most challenging experiences all of us have ever faced, setting off at midnight following the pace of guides, we followed what seemed like a never-ending trail of head torches up the summit.
“Over eight hours we were pushed mentally, physically and emotionally until we finally reached the mountain’s first summit, Stella Point.
“From there, it was a 40 minute fuelling push, short of breath and exhaustion setting in to push us to the roof of Africa, Uhuru Peak. Summiting brought a wave of fresh emotions, elation of being at the top, tears for what we put our bodies through, and a realisation of the impact this trip will have to so many who benefit from Youth Talk’s services.
“From summit, it took two days to get back to civilisation and WiFi where I found out from a waiting Jim Lewis that the new total was an astonishing £65,000!
“This trip has always been so much more than trying to push ourselves to the top, it’s been about making a lasting impact for the charity, community and those that benefit.
“For now, it’s time to relax, tie off the loose ends of the trip, and to say a massive thank you to everyone who has donated and supported us along the way, so THANK YOU! However, the mind is already thinking towards the next challenge, so watch this space…”
Amanda Rosenthal from Amthal said: “What an epic adventure it has been and certainly the hardest thing we have ever done in our lives.
“Summit night was absolutely brutal and challenging physically, emotionally and mentally, and it now seems surreal to say we have stood at the top of the world’s tallest freestanding mountain.
“Would we do it again? Certainly not, this challenge is not for the faint hearted and is a once in a lifetime achievement. My husband Paul does not want to sleep in a tent ever again!
“We have lots of memories to take away and shared the challenge with a great team who helped each other out when needed, and are proud to raise funds for a great local charity.”
Youth Talk’s Jim Lewis said: “When a team of extraordinary Youth Talk supporters stood at 5,895 metres above sea level, they stood there exhausted, sleep deprived, tearful, overwhelmed, but also elated and reflective.
“None of them reached the summit alone, behind every step was the quiet, relentless strength of the Tanzanian porters and guides, carrying tents, food, water, safety equipment. Always smiling, encouraging, professional, dignified and funny, so very funny!
“Many of them do this work week after week to support their own families in Moshi and beyond. It is impossible to climb Kilimanjaro and not reflect on life chances. The children growing up around Moshi face very different realities to children growing up in St Albans district. Access to healthcare, educational opportunity, household income, safety nets, basic infrastructure. The accident of geography shapes so much before a child even finds their voice.
“However, the common thread is, potential is universal, opportunity is not. Our team didn’t just climb a mountain, they raised £65,000 so far, the largest amount ever raised through a single Youth Talk event.
“£65,000 is transformational, and sobering at the same time. That remarkable total represents just 10 per cent of what we need to raise next year, simply to keep our doors open and continue supporting the same number of young people we already do. We receive no statutory funding, we are 100 per cent reliant on the generosity of our community.
“When people say ‘charity begins at home’, it can sometimes sound inward-looking. For us, it means something hopeful. If we can transform the life chances of a vulnerable young person here in St Albans and Harpenden district, give them the mental health support, confidence and resilience they deserve, then we are not just changing one life. ”We are strengthening families, workplaces, communities. We are shaping adults who will go on to contribute positively to society, locally, nationally and globally.
“To every single person who trained, fundraised, donated, encouraged and believed, thank you.
“If you would like to be part of ensuring that Youth Talk can continue to stand beside the young people who need us most, we would love to talk. Together, we can make a huge impact here and far beyond.”
