9:39 am, February 16, 2018
A TEAM of all-women climbers head to Tanzania on February 24 to take on Africa’s highest mountain as part of Cox Automotive’s Women With Drive programme.
The 10 women will complete the challenge over a six-day period, returning to the UK two days ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8.
The climbers come from across Cox Automotive, and are based all over England. As they climb to almost 6,000m (19,336ft) above sea level, the team will face temperatures ranging from 20 degrees during the day to a possible -20 degrees at night.
Alison Fisher, HR Director at Cox Automotive, said: ‘We know that women are under-represented in the motor trade, and Women With Drive exists to celebrate and highlight the role that women play in the industry.
‘Each climber has their own personal motivation to conquer Mount Kilimanjaro, and by sending an all-women team, we believe we’re sending a really powerful symbol of what women can achieve, to our own industry and beyond.’
Michael Buxton, CEO of Cox Automotive, said: ‘We launched Women With Drive in 2016 within our own business, and last year we invited the wider automotive industry to join the programme.
‘According to a recent survey, 84 per cent of women and 64 per cent of men in the UK believe that gender barriers persist in the modern workplace, and Women With Drive takes a positive approach to championing equality. The programme celebrates and creates opportunities for inspirational achievements, and holds events that allow both men and women to focus on their own personal development.
‘The Kilimanjaro climb is part of our commitment to shining a light on the drive for diversity in the automotive industry. We’re incredibly proud of our climbers, and look forward to celebrating with them at the next Women With Drive event on March 8.’
As well as promoting equality, the climbers have taken the opportunity to support Cox Automotive’s charity partner, Wooden Spoon, raising more than £15,000 in sponsorship for disadvantaged and disabled children in the UK.
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