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If you’ve been following our sponsorship of the 24 Hour Walkathon trio and more recently, our sponsorship of the Mount Kilimanjaro duo, you’ll have noticed that we’ve been doing interviews with the lads.
At the beginning of the month, we took some time to catch up with the younger of the two who are climbing Africa’s highest mountain and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
This time it’s the turn of the older of the two, and also Jordan’s uncle, Ian Pilkington. So, without further ado, here’s the interview.
Your Money Claim: Hello! Let’s start with the pleasantries. What’s your name and where do you come from?
Ian Pilkington: Hello, my name is Ian Pilkington and I’m from Accrington.
YMC: Hi Ian! So, is this your first charity challenge? If not, what else have you done?
IP: No, this isn’t my first. I did the coast to coast bike ride in 2010 and raised money for MacMillan Cancer Support.
YMC: That sounds challenging! So, what would you say is the most wacky thing you’ve ever done?
IP: The coast to coast was very challenging but I’d have to say the wackiest was being strapped in a giant ball and getting pushed down a hill. I’ve done plenty of other things as I’ve spent time travelling the world an having a chocolate brown Labrador is quite a challenge too!
YMC: Sounds like you’ve seen and done a lot! So, what is the charity that you’re doing this for and why that particular charity?
IP: I’m raising money for the National Autistic Society whom my partner works for as they need much more financial support than what they get provided with at the moment.
YMC: That’s a great cause. So, how do you feel about doing this climb with your nephew?
IP: I’m probably at a slight age disadvantage but in terms of the climb, each day isn’t much more in altitude than the highest mountains that we’ve been climbing in the lakes. In terms of the altitude sickness, who knows how that will affect us both.
YMC: One thing is for certain, this is an extremely tough challenge. What training have you got planned and what have you done so far?
IP: We’ve already done a number of different walks and climbed up a few different mountains in the Lake District. We’re planning on doing long bike rides, including cross country to Hull. We did the Three Peaks challenge but there was a few thousand people doing it on the same day which made it more difficult. I was also training for the Manchester 10k but got injured the week before.
YMC: Sounds like you’ve got a busy few months ahead of you in terms of training! Do you have any other fundraising events coming up?
IP: Yeah, we’ve got a Fantasy Football League running which people can join, we did this last year too. We are hopeful of arranging an event at Accrington Cricket Club and Jordan is setting up a music event. To date we’ve had some corporate funding, done a golf day and also done a sponsored bike ride.
YMC: It seems you’ve done plenty to raise money and awareness of this event then! If you could do anything else for charity, what would it be and why?
IP: Haha, at the minute I’m not entirely sure. Let’s see how this challenge goes and I’ll take it from there.
YMC: That’s fair enough. So, last but not least, what do you like to do in your spare time?
IP: I like to play badminton and squash when I can and very soon, I’ll be watching Burnley playing Premier League football at Turf Moor. Also, I love to walk my loony Labrador.
There we have it folks, that’s Ian Pilkington with his thoughts on the event, his training and the charity he’s raising money for. If you’d like to donate to their cause, you can find Jordan’s Just Giving page here – www.justgiving.com/jordan-snape and Ian’s Just Giving page here – www.justgiving.com/I-Pilkington1
Mount Kilimanjaro
