Roc Technologies CEO, Matthew Franklin, will be part of a team taking on an incredible attempt to set two Guinness World Records on Mount Everest this spring.
Matt, the Chief Executive of award winning IT services firm Roc Technologies, is one of the participants in the LMAX Exchange Everest Rugby Challenge, which will set out to stage the highest game of full contact rugby and the highest game of mixed touch rugby in history.
The group, comprised of four former international rugby players, leading business executives and other members of the rugby community, will set off on 13th April and battle acclimatisation and an altitude of 6,500 metres as they attempt to raise £200,000 for children’s charity, Wooden Spoon. They are set to return on 6th May.
Accompanying Matt will be former international rugby players Lee Mears (England) and Shane Williams (Wales), who boast almost 140 international caps between them. Ollie Phillips, a former star of the international Rugby Sevens circuit, and Tamara Taylor, a legend of the women’s game, having represented England more than 100 times, are the other star players.
The money raised will be used by Wooden Spoon to help fund charitable projects across the UK and Ireland. The charity uses the power of rugby to positively transform the lives of children and young people with disabilities, and those facing disadvantage. Wooden Spoon has funded a wide range of projects in the region, including a £100,000 bedroom at the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice, opened by Prime Minister Theresa May on 15th December 2018. The bedroom is an invaluable feature at the residential care hospice, which is the only one serving Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.
Matt was diagnosed with a faulty aortic valve in his heart is facing potential heart surgery. Speaking about the challenge, Matt said, “I have taken on the Everest climb because I like to challenge myself and what a way to do that by taking on the world’s highest mountain. I have always wanted to climb Mount Everest and this amazing project is the perfect opportunity to do so, as well as raising money for such a good cause. I need to do what I can whilst I am still fit enough!.”
Sarah Webb, CEO of Wooden Spoon, said, “Everyday, children and young people around the UK and Ireland attempt to overcome their own Everest. We are so pleased to have Matt on board, representing the people of Berkshire. The money he raises will help support local charities in his area. We want to provide this inspirational community with a platform to share their voices, which will not only be heard by the children and young people we support at Wooden Spoon, but also by others who need our help.”
The LMAX Exchange Everest Rugby Challenge is sponsored by LMAX Exchange Group, the UK’s leading financial technology company that operates multiple institutional exchanges for electronic FX trading and crypto currencies globally.
David Mercer, CEO of LMAX Exchange Group, commented about the challenge, “A trek up Mount Everest is daunting enough, but this brave team has chosen to go one step further to try and break two world records in support of a fantastic cause. At LMAX Exchange we have aimed high to break new ground, having been at the forefront of electronic trading development over a number of years. We are committed to driving positive change not only in the financial services space, we also look to bring about positive social change in the communities around us.”
“Rugby is a game of integrity and teamwork. This spirit drives both Wooden Spoon and LMAX Exchange in what we do. We are proud to support Wooden Spoon and all our staff will be cheering the players on, as they work to set world-records and fund life-changing projects for children and young people.”
Visit Matt’s fund-raising page at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/matt-franklin-everest .
Follow his progress and support the LMAX Exchange Everest Rugby Challenge by visiting everestrugby.org.u
