Local Fundraiser Completes Ultimate Challenge For Safe and Sound

Local Fundraiser Completes Ultimate Challenge For Safe and Sound

A Derby charity fundraiser has successfully completed his ultimate challenge to raise money for local charity Safe and Sound’s Butterfly Appeal.

Simon Barcz from Oakwood has raised more than £4,500 on top of the thousands he has already secured for Derby-based Safe and Sound which specialises in grassroots work across the county to transform the lives of children and young people who are victims of or at risk of child sexual exploitation (CSE).

Mr Barcz, who is a heat treatment specialist at Gardner Aerospace in Derby started his fund raising journey as part of his fitness drive to tackle type 2 diabetes.

Having shed nearly six stone, he set his sights on trekking to Everest Base Camp - tackling 115km across difficult terrain and battling altitude sickness to reach heights of 19,000ft above sea level.

He left Derby earlier this month - the day after his 40th birthday – and flew to Kathmandu and then onto Lukla before starting the 11-day trek.

On his return, he joined family and friends for a belated birthday celebration at The Neptune pub in the city centre which has sponsored him for the challenge alongside DBY Flooring and JRU Building Services.

Mr Barcz said: “Having done all sorts of charity fundraising challenges – I wanted to do the ultimate trip and you don’t get much bigger than going to the Everest base camp in the Himalayas.

“I was very tough physically, mentally and emotionally but I am so glad I have done it and particularly to have exceeded my fundraising target for Safe and Sound.

“When I first started raising money to give me the motivation to change my lifestyle, I supported national charities but switched to Safe and Sound as I wanted the money I raised to go to a local charity that supports children and young people in this county.

“This was definitely a trip of a lifetime and I now plan to take a year off to spend more time with the family before re-grouping and deciding on my next fundraising challenge.”

The money raised will go towards Safe and Sound’s Butterfly Appeal to enable the charity to expand its work to support young people, their families and further raise awareness of CSE amongst local communities.

Safe and Sound chief executive Tracy Harrison said: “Simon has been one of our most active fundraisers in recent years and we are extremely proud and grateful for him taking on this endeavour.

“The money he has so kindly raised will greatly help us to develop the vital work needed to support and protect children and young people from the devastating and manipulative damage that sexual exploitation has on their lives.”

Donations can still be made by visiting https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/simon-barcz3

For more information about how to support Safe and Sound, please visit www.safeandsoundgroup.org.uk and follow on Facebook and Twitter @safeandsoundgroup or email fundraising@safeandsoundgroup.org.uk

Back to news