KTC Group CEO Paresh Mehta has successfully reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, completing a gruelling trek to raise vital funds for the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation.
Paresh reached the peak at 5,895 metres above sea level on 17 December after seven days of climbing. Together with his climbing partners Suki Dulai, CEO of Flying Trade Group, and his son Cameron, the team aimed to raise £125,000, split between the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation and World Food Aid.
This is just the latest act of fundraising and support by KTC for the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, after teaming up in 2023 to support their goal of preventing and eradicating food allergies. Paresh’s first fund-raising effort was to climb Ben Nevis, the UK’s highest peak, in 2023, raising £4,236. Two years later, he proudly stood at the top of the “Roof of Africa”, having battled temperatures as low as -15°C, to raise £42,315, with further donations still incoming.
The ascent pushed the team to their physical and mental limits. Over the course of the expedition, Paresh had to overcome extreme temperature swings as the climb moved from humid rainforests to temperatures of –15°C at the summit. While at the top, Paresh had to battle through the “Ultra-High” altitude zone where oxygen is significantly thinner, all the while carrying enough stocks and supplies for a week-long mission with eight-hour daily climbs.
The funds raised by Paresh will go directly to the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation to support their mission of #MakingAllergyHistory. This contribution will aid ground-breaking medical research and support families affected by life–threatening food allergies.
"We are deeply grateful to Paresh for his incredible dedication and commitment in taking on such a once–in–a–lifetime challenge for Natasha’s Foundation,” said Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse, co–founders of the charity. “It means the world to us and makes a real difference in our shared mission. Thank you for standing with us on this journey and quite literally taking your support to new heights!”
Paresh Mehta said: "Reaching the summit was one of the most challenging experiences of my life, and I am incredibly pleased to have made it to the top and raised so much for such an important cause. However, the job is not done yet. While the climb is over, I won’t rest until we hit my personal benchmark of £67,500 for the Natasha Allergy Research Foundation. We are making great progress, but I encourage everyone to keep donating to help us reach that final goal."
While the climb is complete, the fundraising remains very much open for those who wish to support the two charities:
Natasha Allergy Research Foundation: https://www.justgiving.com/page/ktc-mountkilimanjaro
World Food Aid (Suki & Cameron Dulai): https://www.gofundme.com/f/suki-dulai-and-cameron-dulai-are-taking-on-mount-kilimanjaro