Staffordshire businesses have been given the chance to get their company name to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro – as part of an army veteran’s attempt to scale the peak carrying a domestic fridge on his back.
Stafford’s Mike Copeland – aka The Fridge Man – is no stranger to climbing mountains carrying a fridge, having climbed all the highest mountains in England, Scotland and Wales with one.
During this year alone, he has raised over £14,000 for mental health charities.
But he intends to go for the big one in 2024 by raising awareness of mental health issues and funds in support of North Staffs Mind.
Local businesses are being encouraged to come forward with support in the form of sponsorship to help him beat the challenge and achieve a world record or by helping to raise awareness of his fundraising attempt.
The fridge will be decorated with mental health phrases such as ‘stress’, ‘anxiety’ and ‘suicidal thoughts’ to illustrate what it feels like to carry the burden of mental health issues around 24/7.
The lower quarter of the fridge is reserved for the logos of companies who have sponsored him.
Tourist attraction Waterworld, in Stoke-on-Trent, has already signed up to be one of the main sponsors.
Mike, aged 39, is a veteran of the Queen’s company 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards and served in Bosnia and Iraq. Having served with several lads who have taken their own lives, he too struggled with his own mental health upon leaving the army after eight years of service.
When the Covid pandemic hit, he decided to begin fundraising for mental health charities. His motivation was to help others who are struggling with their own mental health, whilst ensuring his own.
Mike, who hopes to raise over £10,000, is covering his own airfare and will be sleeping in a tent and carrying his own food in order to ensure that the maximum amount raised goes direct to North Staffs Mind.
He said: “We have to remove the fridge’s compressor, because it would explode at that altitude.
“Even without it, the fridge weights between 23 and 25kg, and I know from personal experience that I would much rather carry the fridge than the real burden of poor mental health.”
Steve Channon, Income and Engagement Lead at North Staffs Mind, said: “We are appreciative of any company willing to sponsor Mike’s challenge no matter how small.
“However, we have several specific sponsorship packages available that include the opportunity to carry a logo on the fridge itself and possibly clothing.”
Mount Kilimanjaro, in Tanzania, is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free-standing mountain above sea level in the world. Its peak is 5,895m above sea level.
Mike’s fundraising page can be found here.
For more information about the sponsorship packages available, email [email protected]
