CHILDREN’S charity fundraiser Helen Crowther is taking on a mountainous challenge in October to help raise money for the organisation.

Helen works for The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust, which provides holidays, day visits and Christmas parties for more than 3,000 terminally-ill, disabled and disadvantaged children across the north west each year.

The charity has taken delivery of a shiny ‘new’ van thanks to Runcorn-based computer disposals company CDL director just in time for the start of its 2019 holiday programme.

Helen will be joining a five-strong team from CDL for a trek up Mount Kilimanjaro in aid of the charity.

Tom Lockett, CAFT facilities manager said: “Our existing van really has been on its last wheels for some time now, and it comes as a huge relief to be able to replace it with a reliable vehicle after many years of ours letting us down.

“Our old van was falling apart at the seams - when I was using it at the weekend it was raining inside!

“We rely heavily on having a reliable van for many reasons – for transporting children’s luggage, for events, delivering items to our charity shop in Knutsford, and picking up supplies for our farm or donated items from all over the region.

“We’re so grateful to CDL for their support which will enable us to do all of these things and more for many years to come.”

CDL director Jean-Pierre Naylor said: “Every now and again we come across a charity that blows us away, not just for what they do, but the selfless dedication shown by their staff and volunteers.

“We are very proud to be associated with CAFT and look forward to working with them and supporting them in the future.”

CDL’s support doesn’t end there however, as five staff have committed to raise £30,000 for the charity by trekking to the top of Kilimanjaro in October.

Jean-Pierre will be lacing up his walking boots with Maria Salcedo, Lois Mercer, Jordan Clayton-Priestley and Chris Woods, along with Helen Crowther, to raise funds.

Training has begun in earnest for the team, who were joined by Helen for a challenging trek up Moel Famau in North Wales on a cold and windy Sunday.

CDL have set up a Just Giving page for donations; justgiving.com/teams/cdlkili