On January 3rd 2024, Finn Babbage climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m). On April 4th, he is taking his adventures further by starting a trek to Everest base camp, followed by climbing Island Peak (6,165m). He is taking on this challenge to raise money for the Fulham FC Foundation.
“My earliest memory of recent times is Abou Kamara scoring a chip at the end of a 6-0 win versus Burton in January 2018. I remember that was the start of a turnaround in our season, coinciding with us signing a certain Serbian striker on loan that January - yes it still hurts,” said Finn.
After a handful of successful climbs at the Lake District and Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in Scotland, Finn grew emboldened to take his expeditions a step further.
How much further? To reach a summit. After researching various adventure travel companies that led groups to mountain peaks, not just camp bases, Finn decided to take his ambition to Mount Kilimanjaro.
Taking on such a demanding personal challenge, Finn felt compelled to use his deep-rooted support for Fulham to inspire other members of the community. He posed with his Fulham flag at the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in hopes of encouraging other Fulham supporters to take on great challenges for themselves, explore nature, and be more inquisitive in their day-to-day lives.
Once Finn reached the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, he was filled with joy and pride, especially after enduring his hike through a blizzard the previous night.
On Finn's descent, a powerful realisation struck him. As he contemplated the photo of himself triumphantly holding the Fulham flag at Kilimanjaro’s summit, he realised his potential to foster a strong sense of community, like the one he enjoys within the Fulham family, for others.
Now fueled by inspiration, Finn is headed to Nepal.
On April 4, Finn is trekking to Everest base camp and then further on to climb Island Peak. He will be bringing his Fulham flag with him again, waving it at both Everest base camp and the summit of Island Peak.
However, this time, Finn is determined to raise money for Fulham FC Foundation while at it.
His expedition is fully financed on his own, so this fundraiser is a meaningful way for him to raise money in support of the local community.
“Aside from taking on the physical climb itself at Kilimanjaro, working as a team to keep the vibes high and the tents tidy for the seven days we slept in them was crucial. One person not having a good time had the potential to weigh down the whole crew, we were all in it together,” said Finn.
Finn compared the camaraderie felt within the Fulham Family with the support he felt by his fellow climbing team at Mount Kilimanjaro.
“The core challenge lies not in the physical aspects, but in maintaining team spirit,” said Finn.
The clinical skills that Finn exercised during his Kilimanjaro climb sparked his interest to provide more opportunities for people to be welcomed into a community themselves.
“Through my fundraiser, I would like to enable more young people to be able to get games at the Cottage. Getting local young people to support Fulham is vital to secure the future of this wonderful club! In my personal experience, being a part of such a tight knit community of Fulham supporters has provided so much value to my life,” said Finn.
The Fulham Family is a community hub for Finn, offering a sense of belonging, opportunities for social interaction, and a chance to engage in outdoor activities. “If I’ve had a bad week, knowing that I will be able to watch to a Fulham match gives me something to look forward to on the weekends,” said Finn.
"Just as overcoming a daunting climb requires the collective spirit of a team, so do the challenges of life. We all need the support of a community to uplift us and carry us forward."
