Sam Riley Summits Mount Kilimanjaro in Support of Railway Children

25th March 2026

We’re proud to share that Sam Riley has successfully summited Mount Kilimanjaro in support of Railway Children, completing an extraordinary challenge to raise vital funds for vulnerable children.

Now back from Tanzania, Sam has reflected on the experience as one of the toughest challenges he has faced, both physically and mentally. Battling altitude, heavy rain, freezing temperatures, lack of sleep, and high-altitude fatigue, the climb proved to be a true test of resilience from start to finish. As Sam described, “at times it was brutal, but it was also incredibly rewarding.”

A key part of the journey was the team around him. Climbing alongside a group of 14, Sam highlighted the importance of support, humour, and shared determination in reaching the summit, a reminder that even the most individual challenges are rarely achieved alone.

Before beginning the ascent, Sam and the team spent time in Tanzania visiting Railway Children’s projects, including the Kivuko project in Mwanza. These visits provided firsthand insight into the charity’s work supporting children who are alone and at risk and helping them access safety, care, and long-term opportunities. Reflecting on this, Sam shared that the experience “puts everything into perspective”, reinforcing that the challenge was about far more than reaching the summit.

Sam’s Kilimanjaro trek is part of a long-standing commitment from Advance TRS to support Railway Children, with the business and its people having raised over £100,000 through various fundraising initiatives over the years.

So far, Sam has raised an impressive £5,800 towards his £7,000 target. There is still time to contribute and help push this total even further. Every donation makes a real difference in enabling Railway Children to continue their life-changing work.

If you would like to support Sam and the work of Railway Children, please consider donating here.

Railway Children is a powerful international charity working across the UK, India, and East Africa to reach children who are alone, scared, and living on the streets. Many are found around railway stations, where they are vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, and trafficking. The charity intervenes early to provide safety, shelter, education, and long-term support to help these children rebuild their lives.