A few years ago, our business went through a tough season. Over several months, we identified three "mountains" - business challenges we had to overcome to see us to the next milestone. Honestly, it was one of the most difficult times in my 24 years in business. But we learned so much and emerged better and more focused. Today's successes are thanks in part to decisions made in that hard season.

Yet while we were facing our business mountains, people living in  communities we had been supporting in areas like West Africa were facing live-threatening poverty. For them, the opportunity to start a micro-business could mean simply providing for their families. More than that, it could enable their children to receive a basic education and, one day, to break out of systemic poverty.

Our business challenges paled in comparison.

As we emerged from our "three mountains" season, our team decided to do something to support those who were in much greater need. Today we're finally ready to face the real mountains of Scotland, England and Wales as we take on the Three Peaks Challenge in 2022, aiming to raise more than £10,000 to support the work of Street Child.

We're supporting Street Child's work to help ensure that children are safe, in school and learning - even, and especially, in low-resource environments and emergencies.

Here's what Street Child say:

For those in the most marginalised populations the Covid-19 pandemic only deepened their predicament and likelihood of being left behind, plunging millions of families into poverty. As poverty is one of the main barriers to education, this forced children out school whose families are unable to afford to send them back.

Street Child’s livelihoods programming exists to empower families to care for and educate their children in the long term, by simultaneously tackling social and economic barriers to education. Our work with families to build their source of income for their children’s care, combines practical business training and mentoring, access to saving schemes and in some cases, cash grants.

Your donation will provide children with learning materials, school uniforms and dignity kits to ensure they can return to the classroom; provide remote-based learning methods for those who have not been able to return; and provide families with livelihood support. Thank you once again for your kind support!