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Edinburgh Reporter
19-05-2025
- Edinburgh Reporter
West Lothian entrepreneur prepares for Kilimanjaro climb by walking Pentlands
A West Lothian entrepreneur has been getting ready to scale the world's highest free-standing mountain – by walking the Pentland Hills. Broxburn businessman John Keogh, who has provided more than 300 all-weather coats free of charge to rough sleepers across the country, is planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Mr Keogh, who is in his mid-Sixties, has five months to get fit enough to tackle a trek that will take him 19,000 ft up the dormant volcano in Tanzania. And tackling one of the highest peaks in Africa will be a test of resilience not only for him but for the changing robe coat which can convert into a sleeping bag. 'If the coat can work on the extremes of Kilimanjaro, it can work anywhere,' he said this week. John has been fund raising for The Ootsider since he started the Community Interest Company two years ago. The changing robe coats are hand-made in Scotland and sold to outdoor enthusiasts, while all net-profits from the sale go into the manufacture of the sleeping-coats to be distributed free of charge to those who live on the streets of towns and cities around the country. Having raised money through previous sleep out events however, he is now stepping up his efforts, with Kilimanjaro, on the northern border of Tanzania. After a day training in the Pentlands, he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service. 'It's a massive challenge for me but it's not as big a challenge as rough sleepers face every day of their lives. 'My climb is a choice, their's isn't. I'm up in the Pentlands, and I'll come down from the hills to safety and warmth. Rough sleepers don't. 'The sleeping coat is not a solution, but it is a way to survive another night. Rough sleepers climb a mountain every day. let's wrap them in warmth and humanity, not judgement.' As well as fund-raising, John is undertaking the grueling climb to raise awareness of the issue of rough sleeping, which he believes is a forgotten blight on society. John has already spoken about the Ootsider coat at local schools and at cultural, business and environmental events. The success of the coats has prompted John to look at the potential to develop other types of low-cost clothing which is of practical use to outdoor enthusiasts but also of potentially lifesaving benefit to those who live on the streets. The Kilimanjaro climb is not technically as challenging as the Himalayas or Andes, but the high elevation, low temperature and winds can make the peak a difficult trek even for seasoned climbers. The Ootsider has supplied coats to the City of Edinburgh council and works with charities around the country distributing the sleeping bag coats. You can find out more about the work of the The Ootsider at By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
19-05-2025
- Daily Record
West Lothian entrepreneur set to climb Mount Kilimanjaro
A West Lothian entrepreneur has been getting ready to scale the world's highest free standing mountain - by walking the Pentland Hills. Broxburn businessman John Keogh, who has provided more than 300 all weather coats free of charge to rough sleepers across the country, is planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Mr Keogh, who is in his mid Sixties, has five months to get fit enough to tackle a trek that will take him 19,000 ft up the dormant volcano in Tanzania. And tackling one of the highest peaks in Africa will be a test of resilience not only for him but for the changing robe coat which can convert into a sleeping bag. 'If the coat can work on the extremes of Kilimanjaro, it can work anywhere,' he said this week. John has been fundraising for The Ootsider since he started the Community Interest Company two years ago. The changing robe coats are hand-made in Scotland and sold to outdoor enthusiasts, while all net-profits from the sale go into the manufacture of the sleeping-coats to be distributed free of charge to those who live on the streets of towns and cities around the country. Having raised money through previous sleep out events however, he is now stepping up his efforts, with Kilimanjaro, on the northern border of Tanzania. After a day training in the Pentlands he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service. 'It's a massive challenge for me but it's not as big a challenge as rough sleepers face every day of their lives. 'My climb is a choice, theirs is not. I'm up in the Pentlands, and I'll come down from the hills to safety and warmth. Rough sleepers don't. 'The sleeping coat is not a solution but it is a way to survive another night. Rough sleepers climb a mountain every day. let's wrap them in warmth and humanity, not judgement.' As well as fund-raising, John is undertaking the gruelling climb to raise awareness of the issue of rough sleeping, which he believes is a forgotten blight on society. John has already spoken about the Ootsider coat at local schools and at cultural, business and environmental events. The success of the coats has prompted John to look at the potential to develop other types of low cost clothing which is of practical use to outdoor enthusiasts but also of potentially life saving benefit to those who live on the streets. The Kilimanjaro climb is not technically as challenging as the Himalayas or Andes, but the high elevation, low temperature and winds can make the peak a difficult trek even for seasoned climbers. The Ootsider has supplied coats to the City of Edinburgh Council and works with charities around the country distributing the sleeping bag coats.
Edinburgh Live
19-05-2025
- Edinburgh Live
West Lothian creator of jackets for homeless trains for Kilimanjaro climb in the Pentlands
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A West Lothian entrepreneur has been getting ready to scale the world's highest free standing mountain - by walking the Pentland Hills. Broxburn businessman John Keogh, who has provided more than 300 all weather coats free of charge to rough sleepers across the country, is planning to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. John , who is in his mid Sixties, has five months to get fit enough to tackle a trek that will take him 19,000 ft up the dormant volcano in Tanzania. And tackling one of the highest peaks in Africa will be a test of resilience not only for him but for the changing robe coat which can convert into a sleeping bag. 'If the coat can work on the extremes of Kilimanjaro , it can work anywhere,' he said this week. John has been fund raising for The Ootsider since he started the Community Interest Company two years ago. The changing robe coats are hand-made in Scotland and sold to outdoor enthusiasts, while all net-profits from the sale go into the manufacture of the sleeping-coats to be distributed free of charge to those who live on the streets of towns and cities around the country. Having raised money through previous sleep out events , he is now stepping up his efforts, with Kilimanjaro, on the northern border of Tanzania. After a day training in the Pentlands he told the Local Democracy Reporting Service. 'It's a massive challenge for me but it's not as big a challenge as rough sleepers face every day of their lives. 'My climb is a choice, theirs isn't. I'm up in the Pentlands, and I'll come down from the hills to safety and warmth. Rough sleepers don't. 'The sleeping coat is not a solution but it is a way to survive another night. Rough sleepers climb a mountain every day. let's wrap them in warmth and humanity, not judgement .' As well as fund-raising, John is undertaking the gruelling climb to raise awareness of the issue of rough sleeping , which he believes is a forgotten blight on society. John has already spoken about the Ootsider coat at local schools and at cultural, business and environmental events. The success of the coats has prompted John to look at the potential to develop other types of low cost clothing which is of practical use to outdoor enthusiasts but also of potentially life saving benefit to those who live on the streets. The Kilimanjaro climb is not technically as challenging as the Himalayas or Andes, but the high elevation, low temperature and winds can make the peak a difficult trek even for seasoned climbers. The Ootsider has supplied coats to the City of Edinburgh council and works with charities around the country distributing the sleeping bag coats. You can find out more about the work of the The Ootsider at
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'World's smallest theatre' aims for summer opening
Volunteers say they are delighted with the progress made in revamping the world's smallest theatre - with the Malvern attraction on track to reopen this summer. The Theatre of Small Convenience in Edith Walk, which seats just 12 people, closed down in 2017. The inside of the former Victorian toilet block has now been transformed - with fresh painting, new flooring, a brand new roof and heating being installed. Volunteer Dibah Farooki said: "It's been really joyful - it's so nice to see it rising from the ashes." The overhaul - which is ongoing - was made possible after a fundraising campaign resulted in £17,000 in donations. Last year volunteers formed a Community Interest Company (CIC) to fund the transformation, in the hope it would open in time for the school summer holidays. Loz Samuels, one of the volunteers, said: "We've been working really hard - we've had lots of tradespeople coming in, doing the bits that we can't do. "Obviously it's a bit restricted because of the size - when we came in everything was covered in soot, so we've been doing a lot of cleaning. "We've done a lot of painting - we're just trying to restore it back to what it was, and it's got a new roof now, so it's watertight. "Now we've got heating in there as well," added Ms Farooki. "So hopefully people will be warm and cosy when they come in during the winter for a show. "We started from the top down really - we did the roof, the drains, we cleaned the woodwork, the electrics got put in, and the walls got plastered. "It's coming along great." The venue, which opened in 1997, was officially named the world's smallest commercial theatre by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2002. It closed when the original owner, Dennis Neale, retired, leading to the building falling into disrepair. It was further damaged by a fire four years ago. Volunteer Dr Jan Birtle said the work was attracting attention from passers-by. "Every time I've been here and I've opened the door, somebody's come past and you can see them hovering around a bit," she said. "We can't be specific on a date, but we're hoping to launch a programme from probably August onwards - stuff like puppet artists, musicians, maybe play-reading for example. There's a lot of stuff up our sleeves that we're still investigating. "There's such a lot of interest in it - it's really exciting times." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Future secured for theatre based in former toilet Tiny toilet theatre seeks new owner Spacehive Malvern Hills District Council
BBC News
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
World's smallest theatre in Malvern set for summer relaunch
Volunteers say they are delighted with the progress made in revamping the world's smallest theatre - with the Malvern attraction on track to reopen this Theatre of Small Convenience in Edith Walk, which seats just 12 people, closed down in inside of the former Victorian toilet block has now been transformed - with fresh painting, new flooring, a brand new roof and heating being Dibah Farooki said: "It's been really joyful - it's so nice to see it rising from the ashes." The overhaul - which is ongoing - was made possible after a fundraising campaign resulted in £17,000 in donations. Last year volunteers formed a Community Interest Company (CIC) to fund the transformation, in the hope it would open in time for the school summer Samuels, one of the volunteers, said: "We've been working really hard - we've had lots of tradespeople coming in, doing the bits that we can't do."Obviously it's a bit restricted because of the size - when we came in everything was covered in soot, so we've been doing a lot of cleaning."We've done a lot of painting - we're just trying to restore it back to what it was, and it's got a new roof now, so it's watertight. "Now we've got heating in there as well," added Ms Farooki. "So hopefully people will be warm and cosy when they come in during the winter for a show. "We started from the top down really - we did the roof, the drains, we cleaned the woodwork, the electrics got put in, and the walls got plastered."It's coming along great." The venue, which opened in 1997, was officially named the world's smallest commercial theatre by the Guinness Book of World Records in closed when the original owner, Dennis Neale, retired, leading to the building falling into was further damaged by a fire four years Dr Jan Birtle said the work was attracting attention from passers-by."Every time I've been here and I've opened the door, somebody's come past and you can see them hovering around a bit," she said."We can't be specific on a date, but we're hoping to launch a programme from probably August onwards - stuff like puppet artists, musicians, maybe play-reading for example. There's a lot of stuff up our sleeves that we're still investigating."There's such a lot of interest in it - it's really exciting times." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
