A North East company director is scaling two of Europe’s most iconic peaks to raise funds to support businesses in the region. Mark Stephenson, director of Stephenson-Mohl Group, is taking on the daunting challenge to support the not-for-profit Open North Foundation, set up against the backdrop of the global pandemic.
The climb, which has been years in the planning, will see Mark traverse some of the most intimidating Alpine peaks, including Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn, weather permitting. Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps at over 4,800 metres above sea level, while the Matterhorn, with its jagged summitt, is 4,400 metres.
Mark, also a director of the Open North Foundation, is taking on the Alpine’s toughest peaks to raise awareness of the work of the organisation, which supports businesses in the North East who have been affected by the covid-19 pandemic and are looking to recover.
Mark, said: “In undertaking this formidable challenge, I’m hopefully highlighting the tightrope of risk and reward businesses are walking just now on the back of the Covid pandemic.
“The way the Foundation responded to the challenges posed to businesses over the last year has been truly remarkable. Set up from scratch by volunteers, it is doing brilliant work, providing financial and in-kind support to help businesses help themselves. I’m very proud to be part of such an inspiring team and absolutely delighted at the response we have already received from the business community and beyond.”
Mark founded SMG, a strategic communications consultancy in 2017. Since then, it has worked with a range of businesses and charities to navigate risk and deliver growth.
Chair of Open North Foundation Richard Swart, said: “It’s fantastic to see the extraordinary lengths to which our team will go to highlight the work of the Foundation in supporting regional businesses.
As a not-for-profit organisation, we rely on the support and generosity of our team of volunteers to spread the word and raise awareness. We’re wishing Mark the very best of luck as he takes on this daunting Alpine challenge.”
To support Mark’s challenge and find out more about the work Open North Foundation is doing to support businesses in our region visit www.opennorthfoundation.co.uk
