A team of food industry executives has completed a 145km trek across the Tanzanian highlands to raise money for the charity Farm Africa.

The trekkers completed the six-day hike at the weekend, having crossed woodlands, plains and mountains in searing heat, at more than 2,500m above sea level. The team followed a route specially designed for them and which previously had only been walked by local Masai tribesmen and wildlife.

The money raised from the expedition will go towards Farm Africa’s Food for Good initiative, set up by the UK’s food and hospitality sectors to help tackle hunger.

Former NFU director general and Farm Africa chairman Richard Macdonald, who led the expedition, said: “Physically it’s probably the toughest thing I’ve ever done, including Kilimanjaro.

“Food for Good has raised an amazing £428,000. We have all worked incredibly hard to merit the support of all our sponsors! A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us. The money donated will make a real and long-term difference to many people in eastern Africa.”

Other members of the team included Nigel Dunlop, CEO of Moy Park; Robert Lasseter of the NFU; Steve McLean, head of agriculture & fisheries, Marks & Spencer; Andrew Thompson, commercial director, Booker; Mark Williamson, commercial director, Waitrose; and Charles Reed, CEO of William Reed Business Media, publisher of The Grocer.

The trek follows a project in May, when a group of female executives from the food and drink industry dug a fish pond for a remote village in Kenya.

For more information, visit the Farm Africa website.