15 Feb 2026
A determined team of business leaders from across the St Albans district have set off on their trek up Africa’s Mount Kilimanjaro to raise much-needed funds for local charity Youth Talk.
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.
Their trek involves 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).
Their 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 they have already raised almost £42,500 towards their £50,000 target.
The team set off for Tanzania on Friday, and organiser Alfie said: “The day is finally here… 15 years of saying I’m going to do it, 18 months of planning, one week of stressing and packing, today I finally fly to Tanzania to climb Mount Kilimanjaro all in aid of Youth Talk!”
He posted one final message the following day: “We have arrived in Tanzania, done the final pack of the bags and are ready to set off first thing tomorrow morning! Let’s get to it!!”
The Amthal Group of Companies posted messages of support on social media: “Wishing all of the team, including our Amanda and Paul Rosenthal every success as they set off on their epic journey to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.
“Joining more than 20 others taking on this challenge in support of Youth Talk in St Albans, providing free, confidential counselling for young people aged 13–25.
Take care, look after each other, and enjoy the experience. We’ll be cheering you on from home!”
And Youth Talk posted today: “As we’re sipping morning coffees, contemplating our Sunday plans, please spare a thought for this group of simply amazing people. These are the brave/crazy souls who are setting off for the first day of trekking on their challenge to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, raising money for Youth Talk.
“Led and guided by Discover Adventure, they are taking the Machame route over the coming days, aiming to summit in the early hours of Thursday morning, Today their route will be a steady climb, passing through magnificent, dense rainforest. Tonight they will be at the Machame Camp, at a height of 3,100m.”
You can still sponsor their efforts at https://www.justgiving.com/team/trek-kilimanjaro-2026
