CHARLOTTE Jones from North Yorkshire is always on the lookout for a new challenge.
She gained her HGV licence at the age of 18 and heads up one of the UK’s leading international horse transportation companies – C&C Horse Transport based in Stokesley.
The 24-year- old, who is better known as Charlie, is now limbering up for a mammoth charity challenge – climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in memory of her late grandfather, Brian Jones.
She’s starting the seven-day trek on March 16 and has been told that temperatures can drop to as low as -15C.
Every step she takes on the 5,895m trek will boost the Aplastic Anaemia Trust – a charity dedicated to researching the rare blood condition that claimed her grandfather’s life.
Charlie said: “My grandfather was a remarkable man so I wanted to do something out of the ordinary to honour him and this challenge will really push me to the limit.
“I’ve funded the trip myself so all the money raised, either through events, activities or donations, will go to the charity and as a family company we’ve also decided to match the amount raised pound for pound.”
Charlie is a member of the Jones family – owners of the Armstrong Richardson group which includes AR Agriculture, AR Entertainments, AR Fuels, AR Wholesale, C&C Horse Transport and Millbry Hill. Her late grandfather led the group for many years before his death in 2001.
His three sons Mark, Nigel and Craig are now at the helm, with Charlie’s sister Serena leading Millbry Hill, the group’s retail division.
The Aplastic Anaemia Trust is the company’s chosen charity for 2017.
The Kilimanjaro climb has been organised by Action Challenge – a group that helps raise more than £10m for UK charities every year.
Donations towards Charlie’s fundraising efforts can be made in Millbry Hill stores at Stokesley, Whitby, Richmond and Whitehaven or online at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/charliejones11