Charity trekkers from Bevan Brittan tackle Bristol Bridges Walk to prepare for Kilimanjaro challenge

A team of charity fundraisers from national law firm Bevan Brittan have stepped up their training for climbing the tallest mountain in Africa next year by taking on the Bristol Bridges Walk.

Six colleagues from the firm’s Bristol office tackled the 28-mile circular route on 18 August, crossing each of Bristol’s 45 bridges as they did so. The walk covers 1,000 years of Bristol’s history and was designed by the city’s Civic Society.

The challenge was part of their drive to raise more than £30,000 for the Bristol office’s nominated charity 1625 Independent People, which aims to support young people facing homelessness or leaving care.

Their fundraising marathon for the charity will culminate next March, when they and two more colleagues tackle an arduous trek up the daunting Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

Luke Elstone-Bryan, Operational Programme Manager at Bevan Brittan and the lead for the charity trek, said: “We’ve undertaken some big challenges over the years to support our chosen charities but climbing Kilimanjaro may be the toughest yet.

“The Bridges Walk took us the best part of a day to complete but it was great training for the mental and physical challenge we will face when we get to Tanzania in March. 

“Spending a day walking across all of Bristol’s bridges was really interesting as all of us saw parts of the city that we had never seen before and it will help us get into shape for the challenge ahead. It is all for a great cause too, so that gives us even more impetus.”

Luke was joined on the Bristol Bridges Walk by Partners Louise Robling and Hannah Taylor, Facilities Manager Frankie Burwell, Paralegal Molly Churchman and Trainee Solicitor Charlotte Horler.

Senior Associate Samantha Minchin and Solicitor Victoria LaPorte will complete the team of eight who will fly to Tanzania in March. They will embark on an eight-day, 5,895-metre ascent to the summit of Kilimanjaro – the highest mountain in Africa and one of the biggest in the world.

Collectively, the team are hoping to raise a mammoth £33,000 by strapping on their hiking boots and undertaking the once-in-a-lifetime trek. Each colleague has an individual fundraising target and Bevan Brittan kick-started proceedings by making a donation to each of the trekkers.

You can make a donation to 1625 Independent People and show your support for Bevan Brittan’s Kilimanjaro team here.