Sophie Bayliss has completed an incredible climb of Mount Kilimanjaro followed by a skydive over Zanzibar, raising funds for RABI, Wales Air Ambulance and Shropshire Rural Support.
Beginning the seven day Machame Route on 23 July 2026, Sophie took on the challenge in memory of her mum. After reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro at 5,895 metres, she went on to complete a skydive from 10,000 feet over Zanzibar.
Sophie funded the trip herself, meaning the money raised through her challenge can be shared equally between the three charities. She set an initial fundraising target of £3,000 and surpassed it, raising an incredible £3,250 following completion of the challenge.
A challenge in memory of her mum
Sophie chose to take on the Kilimanjaro climb in memory of her mum, adding the Zanzibar skydive as a further tribute.
Her mum had always wanted to complete a skydive but had never had the opportunity, making the jump a particularly meaningful part of Sophie’s challenge.
Over seven days, Sophie followed the Machame Route to the summit of Kilimanjaro before travelling to Zanzibar for the second part of her fundraising challenge.
Supporting three rural charities
Sophie’s fundraising will support RABI, Wales Air Ambulance and Shropshire Rural Support, with the money raised shared equally between the three organisations.
Her support for RABI will help the charity continue providing practical, financial and emotional support to farming people across England and Wales.
With her original £3,000 target already exceeded, Sophie’s fundraising page will remain open for a few more weeks to help raise further funds for the three charities.
Thank you, Sophie
Danielle Burwood, Events Community Fundraiser at RABI:
"Congratulations to Sophie on completing both her Kilimanjaro climb and skydive.
This was a significant personal challenge, undertaken in memory of her mum, and we are grateful that Sophie chose RABI as one of the three charities she wanted to support.
The funds raised will help RABI continue providing practical, financial and emotional support to farming people across England and Wales.
Thank you to Sophie and to everyone who donated, shared her fundraising page or supported her during the challenge.
If you're inspired to take on a personal challenge and raise funds for RABI, get in touch with our fundraising team to find out more about our challenge events programme and how we can support you."
Sophie's achievement demonstrates the valuable contribution individual supporters can make by turning a personal challenge into an opportunity to support farming people.
