Hackney Wick knife-crime charity founder raises £150,000 trekking to highest peak of Antarctica
Henry Smith with the Wickers charity flag. - Credit: Archant
An entrepreneur has gone to extreme measures to raise £150,000 for a Hackney Wick charity – by trekking to the highest peak in Antarctica.
Henry Smith and colleagues in Antarctica. - Credit: Archant
Henry Smith, 57, who founded The Wickers Charity to combat knife and gun crime in the area, was “thrilled” to raise so much money, but not so thrilled to have battled highs of -55 and frostbite on his way to the summit of Mount Vinson.
Henry, CEO of property developers Aitch Group, said: “The most frightening part of the trek was when I almost lost my nose to frostbite!
“I thought to myself, not reaching the top would be a disaster. However with the tremendous support from my team we rallied on, my nose was wrapped up in a buff to get the blood flowing and thankfully we made it.
“Mountaineers have a level of fitness I’ve never experienced and as a novice I struggled and was not prepared for the life-threatening conditions. On the day of the summit we had a ‘warm day’ of -55 degrees.
Henry Smith with the Wickers charity flag. - Credit: Archant
“As we got to the top I could barely see, my glasses were full of ice and I was really concerned about my nose. For a moment I felt so emotional. I’d done what I’d set out to achieve, my emotions were churning and I cried. A combination of relief, stress and euphoria all came together.
“That was the hardest challenge of my life but I would do it all again for the charity. I’m overwhelmed by the extraordinary donations received and can’t thank people enough for their generosity.”
Most Read
- 1 Dalston shop fire under investigation
- 2 Guilty: Man lured 2 young girls into garage and sexually abused them
- 3 Jailed: 9 north London offenders put behind bars in June
- 4 New entrance opens at Hackney Central Overground station
- 5 Patrick Anzy: Three men jailed following Gillett Square murder
- 6 Fundraiser for Cambridge Uni course to tell Hackney people's stories
- 7 Covid: North London hospital admissions rising amid national surge
- 8 Call to stop weedkiller use at estate
- 9 Boy, 15, charged with attempted murder of woman out riding bike
- 10 Boy charged with 3 offences after series of Hackney Marshes sex assaults
The Wickers Charity offers youngsters a safe haven in St Mary of Eton Church, and Henry said the money would go towards finding a permanent home for the group, paying for more youth workers and apprenticeships.
Donations can still be made here.
