Peak practise as accountants prepare to tackle Kilimanjaro

Tax experts Helen Smith, Stephanie Day and Gemma Talbot, who all work for BDO in Leeds, are in training to climb the 5,895 metres of Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. The trio are taking on the daunting task to raise money for the Jane Tomlinson Appeal and they have set themselves an appropriate target – £5,895.

Helen, 31, a senior tax manager, who lives in Wakefield, said: “A pound for every metre seemed a good idea.”

As part of their training to get in shape for the climb, the three will join other BDO colleagues – Dominic Campbell, Krishan Korpal and Laura Chivers to part in the James Potter Eggs Corporate Relay Challenge, part of The Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon on October 20 in York.

Gemma and Helen also recently completed the 14-mile route of the Jane Tomlinson Yorkshire Dales Walking Festival. More expeditions to the Dales and to Snowdon in Wales are planned along with a series of 5K and 10K runs ahead of next May’s Kilimanjaro challenge.

Tax manager Stephanie, 29, said yesterday: “We had read about climbing Kilimanjaro.

“We spoke to each other about it and we were all up for it.”

They acknowledge they are not natural runners but are looking forward to taking on the corporate relay and being part of the first Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon.

The marathon sold out of general places within days of being launched meaning corporate team relay entry is now the only way to be part of the event. For more information go to www.theyorkshiremarathon.com/events

The Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon is being staged by a new company under the Jane Tomlinson charity events umbrella – the legacy of the late fundraiser who raised almost £2m for charity through a series of endurance feats.