A former soldier has raised more than £1,000 for Dougie Mac after taking on an extraordinary challenge — climbing six volcanoes in South America.
Andrew Challenor, who previously served with the Royal Engineers and served in Kosovo in 1999, and Iraq twice, completed the feat in Ecuador following a 2025 fundraising expedition in Argentina in support of the hospice.
The 45-year-old, who owns Fenton-based Royale Boiler Services — a company that has raised in excess of £8,500 for Dougie Mac through scrap metal donations via Brown’s Recycling — took on the gruelling volcano challenge at the end of January.
Among the volcanoes Andrew conquered were Cotopaxi, one of the highest active volcanoes in the world at 5,897 metres and Chimborazo, which at 6,268 metres is the point on Earth farthest from the planet’s core and the closest point to the sun.
Andrew said: “I like to take some time away each year to do something for myself as it helps keep me grounded, although I do miss my three children while I’m away.
“In January I spent three weeks in Ecuador climbing six volcanoes to raise money for Dougie Mac. The first four were dormant and helped me to acclimatise, but unfortunately it was very cloudy at the top so we didn’t have a good view.
“I joined a group and we were paired up for safety. On the way up on the last climb, we were hit by snow blizzards and my climbing partner became ill and had to head back down. I was going to go with him, but he told me to carry on as he was a man of charity too, so I waited for about 40 minutes in the blizzard for another group to arrive so I could partner up with someone else.
“Stuck there, waiting in the snow made it mentally tough and I didn’t know whether I would make it to the top as mentally I had switched off, but my new partner turned out to be a man also called Andy. He had a daughter with learning difficulties and knew I was climbing to raise money for Dougie Mac, so we encouraged each other and helped each other all the way up.
“The climb was really tough, physically but I think more mentally. By the time we reached the summit it was a complete white-out and the strong smell of sulphur made us feel dizzy, so we didn’t stay there for very long.
“Reaching the top gave me a real sense of achievement – I was exhausted but very happy to have made it. I hadn’t expected it to be quite so difficult, but the weather and having to wait for a new partner made it mentally challenging.
“Once you reach the summit you get a sudden burst of energy and that final push helps make coming back down much easier. I think it took us about three hours to reach the bottom! I’m not a professional climber, but it’s something I really enjoy.”
Andrew added: “Raising money for Dougie Mac is something I’m really passionate about. It feels good to give something back. We as a company are all very proud to give back to the community, other members of my team have completed their own fund raising, Antony Graham did a sky dive last year and Ben Grant (who has now moved on), completed the Stoke half and helped towards our funding.
“When I first moved to the area from Teesside, I volunteered at Children’s Services, which is my own personal connection to the hospice. I also have friends and employees whose families have been supported by Dougie Mac, so it’s a charity that means a lot to me.”
Fancy taking on a fundraising challenge for Dougie Mac? Take a look here: www.dougiemac.org.uk/fundraise/
