One of Devon’s leading business coaches is swapping the boardroom for Africa’s highest mountain. Andrew De Groot of ActionCOACH Exeter and his wife Charlotte aim to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro on 18 October, Anti-Slavery Day, raising money for International Justice Mission (IJM).
This Devon business owner charity challenge has already won strong backing. By 12 October, 58 supporters had given £5,180, with local businesses among those digging deep. That leaves £715 to reach their £5,895 target, set at £1 for every metre of the mountain, so there is still time to help them get there.
“I’ve already made it up Kilimanjaro… with a little help from AI!” Andrew wrote on LinkedIn. “The real climb will involve considerably more effort than making this photo, but I’ve bought a 360° camera for some ‘drone-like’ footage.”
Andrew has built a reputation as one of the region’s most trusted coaches, helping business owners across the South West to grow. Now he and Charlotte are putting that same drive into the hardest physical challenge they have ever taken on together. The 5,895 metre climb will take seven days alongside an IJM team.
“Are we nervous? Absolutely!” they said in a message to supporters. “But we’re doing it for an amazing cause, aiming to reach the summit on 18 October, Anti-Slavery Day.”
Their message also captured the determination behind the adventure: “Now we’ve told you all, there’s definitely no turning back!”
Why they chose International Justice Mission
More than 50 million people were living in modern slavery in 2021, according to official global estimates. That is around one in every 150 people in the world.
IJM works with local authorities and justice systems to protect people in poverty from slavery and violence. The charity says its work has helped bring nearly 480,000 people to freedom and has led to 10,000 convictions of traffickers and other violent abusers.
For Andrew and Charlotte, the trip is also a chance to meet the people behind that work. In an airport update, they said they planned to visit IJM’s Kenya office before the climb.
“We get to see them in action in the Kenya office on Tuesday and know it will be the highlight,” they said.
The couple thanked everyone who had already sent messages of encouragement and prayers. They also shared a short video introducing IJM and explaining why they chose to fundraise for the charity.
There’s still time to give
The couple have stressed there is no expectation to donate, but every gift brings them closer to their target. Their fundraising page shows what different amounts could do:
- £35 could provide crucial aftercare for a survivor
- £50 could send a team on a rescue operation
- £105 could support a trafficking investigation
- £240 could fund trauma counselling for a survivor
Devon’s business community has already shown what it can do. If you would like to add your support to this Devon business owner charity challenge, you can give through Andrew and Charlotte’s JustGiving page. A message of encouragement before the big climb would mean a great deal to them too.
You can also hear Andrew in person next month. He is one of the speakers at Rediscover Business & Leadership 2026, which returns to the South Gate Hotel in Exeter on Friday 13 and Saturday 14 November. The two day conference brings businesspeople and church leaders together who have a vision to do something great. Andrew is sure to have a story or two to share.
To learn more about Andrew’s work with local businesses, read our spotlight on Andrew De Groot or visit the ActionCOACH Exeter listing in Devon Business Directory.
Al Gibson
Alistair Gibson is the founder of Countdown Creative and editor of Devon Business News. A journalist and communications specialist, he combines traditional storytelling with digital media to help businesses communicate clearly and get noticed. He has lived and worked in Devon since 2007, building strong connections with businesses and organisations across Plymouth, Exeter and the wider South West.
