Director Scales Mont Blanc to Raise £10,000 for Children’s Charities
Emdad Rahman
A senior figure at Bellway’s Barking project team has conquered Western Europe’s highest mountain to raise vital funds for two children’s charities.
David Burns, Managing Director of Bellway’s Barking Project Team, reached the summit of Mont Blanc, standing at 4,805 metres, on 23 September as part of an ambitious alpine climbing challenge.
The expedition involved three days of acclimatisation, followed by an ascent of Gran Paradiso at 4,061 metres before the final push to the summit of Mont Blanc.
David is aiming to raise £10,000 for Variety, the Children’s Charity, one of Bellway’s national charity partners, and the Youth Adventure Trust. His fundraising total has already reached £7,815.
Bellway is matching the funds raised for Variety and has also pledged a donation of up to £1,000 to the Youth Adventure Trust.
Speaking after completing the challenge, David said his motivation came from a desire to help children and young people fulfil their potential.
“As a parent I’m passionate about helping children reach their full potential, which is the driving force behind both these amazing organisations,” he said.
Reflecting on the climb, David added: “I’m elated to have reached the summit of Mont Blanc. The altitude and low oxygen levels made it both physically and mentally demanding, but it has been an incredible experience and I’ve been inspired along the way by the thought of the children and young people who will benefit from the money being raised.”
He also thanked his family, friends and colleagues for their donations and encouragement throughout his training, which included gym sessions and mountain climbs across the UK.
David praised Bellway for placing charitable support at the heart of its business.
Variety, the Children’s Charity, provides essential support and specialist equipment for disabled and disadvantaged children. As part of its wider commitment, Bellway has pledged to fund six specially adapted Sunshine Coaches for schools in the regions where it operates. The first coach was presented to a school in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, earlier this year.
Lindsey Cape, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Variety, congratulated David on his achievement and fundraising efforts.
“Support like this is vital for Variety’s mission to ensure that every child is supported to reach their full potential. What an incredible challenge you have completed,” she said.
The second beneficiary, the Youth Adventure Trust, works with vulnerable young people to develop resilience and confidence through outdoor adventure and mentoring.
Philippa Cox, Corporate Partnerships Manager at the charity, said David’s achievement reflected the qualities the organisation seeks to nurture in the young people it supports.
“David demonstrated the exact resilience, grit, and determination that we strive to build in vulnerable young people facing their own mountains to climb,” she said.
With more than three-quarters of his £10,000 target already raised, David’s challenge demonstrates how personal determination and corporate community support can combine to make a meaningful difference to children’s lives.
