In December this year Shield Asbestos Surveyor Dave Chudleigh, is donning his walking boots to trek the 5,895 metres to the top of Africa’s highest peak.

Dave will attempt to climb Mount Kilimanjaro with his old school friend Martin Shepherdson from Swindon, the pair who are both 38years old are hoping to raise money to build a new headquarters for the Wadebridge and Egloshayle Rainbows, Brownies and Guides.

The Dream Hut Appeal was launched in August last year and aims to raise £55,000 in three years as the current facility off Goldsworthy Way is in a state of disrepair. The dilapidated wooden building is more than 40 years old and is very cold in the winter and too hot for the girls in the summer. The intention is to build a modern headquarters that would be more secure, with a bigger kitchen and better toilet and disabled facilities. The Dream Hut Appeal fund currently stands at more than £14,000.

Dave said: "Although I have completed half marathons before I have never done anything like this. It's been a lifetime ambition for Martin and I. I have been training by running, running and even more running. I was not sure what charity to raise money for but knew I wanted to help a local organisation and my daughter Lauren is a Brownie and my son Jack is in the Beavers and when I heard about the Dream Hut Appeal I thought it would be a great cause."
The pair, who has been friends since they were eight years old, is hoping to complete the hike in seven days. Dave added: "I can't wait to get there and do it. I haven't set myself a target of how much I want to raise but the more I can, the better."

Ceri Goodfellow from the Dream Hut Appeal said: "We are really grateful to Dave and Martin. We would encourage people to sponsor them and help our dream become a reality."
Donation boxes are in Malcolm Barnecutt's Bakers in Wadebridge and St Merryn and Dickson's Home Hardware in Wadebridge. To offer sponsorship or for more information contact Dave on 07971 197131.

Phil House, Shield’s Managing Director commented that “We actively encourage our employees to take part in charity events, we are happy to support Dave with his challenge and it is very satisfying to see SES employees raising money which will make a real difference to the local community, I wish Dave all the best in his trek”.