In a moment of madness 3 years ago I signed up to climb Kilimanjaro in aid of TaxAid and Tax Help for Older People. Our adventure has been postponed twice due to COVID and just as we confirmed it was going ahead I caught COVID, followed by a chest infection and then fractured my elbow.

My lungs and elbow have recovered, I’ve worn in my walking boots, dragged my family on five hour hikes up and down hills, and got my visa for Tanzania so I’m finally ready to admit that it’s going ahead this time!

I’ve been working with TaxAid and Tax Help for Older People for about 5 years and during that time I’ve been inspired by the support they provide to vulnerable, low income taxpayers who need help with their tax problems. For many of the people the charities help, their tax problems are caused or exacerbated by other issues in their lives such as bereavement, mental or physical ill health, job loss or business failure, language barriers or educational needs. With the rise of the gig economy, even those who would previously had little interaction with the tax system are encountering problems. Often the tax problems seem insurmountable but can be resolved easily with a little bit of professional help. The support provided to the beneficiaries often removes a huge weight from their shoulders and allows them to focus their time and energy on other areas of their life.

Although the charities benefit hugely from time provided by volunteers, they also need funds to keep the helplines open and provide all the support their beneficiaries require. As well as supporting the charities through my role at Deloitte and with personal donations, I wanted to challenge myself both physically and mentally to help raise awareness of the work the charities do and raise much needed funds.

Anything you are able to donate will be much appreciated by the charities and me, and will help keep me motivated to succeed in the darkest hours of the trek.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity. I am paying the full cost of the trip so the charities will receive the full value of your donation.