Isle of Wight businessman Charlie Panayi is preparing to trek 100km through the Colombian jungle in memory of his younger sister Zoe.
Charlie, who is also a Mountbatten Trustee, is taking on the expedition as part of his 8 Challenges in 8 Months campaign, raising money for Mountbatten Isle of Wight and awareness of Zoe’s Law.
His younger sister, Zoe Panayi, died from melanoma aged just 26 and was cared for by Mountbatten during her final days.
Charlie and his family have since continued to raise money for the Island charity while campaigning for change through Zoe’s Law.
The upcoming 100km trek through the Colombian jungle is the latest physical test for Charlie, who is personally covering all costs associated with his challenges so that 100% of money donated goes directly to Mountbatten.
Charlie has said:
“Every challenge I do comes back to Zoe.
“I cannot change what happened to my sister, and I cannot bring her back. But I can make sure her name continues to mean something and hopefully help other people along the way.
Article continues below this advertisement “Colombia is going to be incredibly tough. 100km through the jungle is no easy task. I am choosing challenges that push me physically and mentally because I want people to stop, take notice and hopefully support what we are trying to achieve.
“But I also want to make one thing absolutely clear – 100% of the money donated goes to Mountbatten.
“Not to me. Not towards flights. Not towards accommodation. Not towards equipment or the cost of these expeditions.
“I personally fund the challenges. Every pound donated through the fundraiser is for Mountbatten and the incredible work they do for people and families across the Isle of Wight.”
Mountbatten provides specialist end-of-life care and bereavement support across the Island, with its services costing more than £25,000 every day to run. Around a third of its funding comes from the NHS.
Alongside the fundraising, Charlie and his family are continuing to campaign for Zoe’s Law, which calls for greater protection around the testing of removed moles and skin tags.
Charlie has added:
“I know people are asked to support good causes all the time and I never take a donation, a share or a signature for granted.
“You do not have to give hundreds of pounds to make a difference. £1 matters, sharing the fundraiser matters. Signing and sharing the Zoe’s Law petition matters.
“This is about keeping Zoe’s memory alive, helping Mountbatten continue doing what they did for my family and pushing for change so other families do not have to experience what ours did.”
The Colombian expedition forms part of a wider programme of challenges which is set to culminate in an attempt to summit Aconcagua in South America in January 2027.
Standing at 6,961m, Aconcagua is the highest mountain outside Asia.
Charlie has said the campaign is ultimately about keeping his sister’s memory alive.
“I would swap every challenge to have my sister back with her boys.
“I cannot do that, but what I can do is keep fighting for something positive to come from what happened to her. So that is what I will continue to do.”
Those wishing to support Charlie’s expedition can do so here.
