Team sets sights on Kilimanjaro as bakery business turns 60

BAKO is marking its 60th birthday with 12 months of celebratory activities including a team challenge to take on Mount Kilimanjaro, with the goal of raising £60,000 for national charity Dementia UK.

Established in 1964, BAKO distributes bakery products to customers across the UK providing independent bakers and caterers with a wide range of ingredients and finished products from quality suppliers, as well as its own BAKO Select branded range.

Trading from Preston, Durham and Wimbledon, BAKO’s employees and customers are coming together to participate in a host of fundraising activities this year, and to commemorate the launch of the celebrations, BAKO is revealing its team of four - Marta Skomoroko, Lucy John, Ian Best and Joanna Walaszczyk - who are set to take on a challenging Mount Kilimanjaro trek, led by the Kilimanjaro Climbing Company, in October.

BAKO chief executive officer, Michael Tully, said: “We are looking forward to sharing a year full of celebrations and activities with all our team and customers, to celebrate our 60th year. The Mount Kilimanjaro trek that our team of four are taking on is an incredible challenge and everyone at BAKO wishes them the very best!"

Marta Skomoroko said: “I’m feeling a whole mixture of emotions about taking part in the challenge. I’m already so excited I cannot sleep, a tiny bit nervous, but also grateful for the opportunity to take part in such a big fund-raising expedition. Speaking on behalf of the team, we can’t wait to get going and are all feeling incredibly proud and excited to be taking on such a challenge in support of this incredible charity.”

Michael Tully added: “We chose Dementia UK as our charity of the year as it is not only an inspirational charity, but dementia is a condition that has affected many staff and their families over the years. To raise £60,000 is a tough target but I am confident that with everything we have planned, together we will achieve it.” 

Joanna Sullivan, head of community fundraising, events and innovation at Dementia UK said: “We are so grateful to BAKO for organising this fundraiser for Dementia UK. One in three people born in the UK this year will develop dementia in their lifetime. It can be exhausting and overwhelming, not only for the person with dementia, but also for the people caring for them, and their wider family and friends. 

“Thanks to the hard work of our amazing fundraisers like BAKO, more families than ever will be able to access the life-changing support offered by our Admiral Nurses.” 

In addition to the Mount Kilimanjaro trek, BAKO is also launching 1960s themed baking competitions for staff and customers, a range of exclusive offers and giveaways and a BAKO Select exclusive 60th birthday product launch from its exclusive BAKO Select range.