Some expats arrive in Bulgaria for business and then they find something more – a way to bring some meaningful change into the life of the country. Tony McMurray is one such example. The finance professional has always sought challenges in sports, adventure and charity. In 2021 he got an idea that would unite all of these to help some of the most vulnerable Bulgarian citizens. The idea behind the Bulgarian 56 Peaks Challenge is both simple and alluring. Tony, who is an experienced mountaineer and was on Mount Everest during the notorious 2015 earthquake, decided to climb all peaks in Bulgaria that are higher than 2,500m, to bring awareness and encourage donations for the For Our Children Foundation. The NGO works with disadvantaged Bulgarian kids, helping to get them to a better start in life.

Tony climbed his first peak in 2022 and in the following three years he conquered 56 summits, concluding this September with Musala (2,925m), the highest peak in the Balkans. During the challenge, he climbed more than 75,000 metres – equal to 22 climbs of Mount Everest, enduring conditions ranging from -15°C winter storms to +35°C summer heat. He was not alone in his efforts: climbers from over 20 countries joined at different stages. Thanks to his efforts and popularisation skills, the campaign collected 20,000 leva for the For Our Children Foundation. In October, Tony dedicated his second TEDx talk to the challenge and its lessons.

When did you arrive in Bulgaria and what do you do here?

I first came to Bulgaria in 2018 to take over the lead of the shared services centre of Ingram Micro. I now serve as Cluster CFO for multiple countries, while continuing to live and work out of Sofia. I am also an active member of the business and social community here: I serve on the Board of AmCham Bulgaria and chair the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Bulgaria.

At Belmeken, at the start of the challenge

What inspired you for the Bulgarian 56 Peaks Challenge?

I learned about the work of the For Our Children Foundation during a charity auction in 2021. It supports disadvantaged children in Bulgaria by preventing abandonment, fostering care, and driving systemic change. Once I learned about the foundation, one thought kept circling in my mind: could I do something big here in Bulgaria? A quick internet search told me there are 56 mountain peaks in Bulgaria above 2,500 metres. That was the spark. I had my cause, and I had my challenge. Supporting disadvantaged children felt like the most powerful way to connect my love of adventure with lasting social impact.

How do you aim to help the For Our Children Foundation?

My goal was twofold: to raise funds and to raise awareness. If it had only been about money, I could have donated the amount myself. But I wanted to do more – to bring people together, to show that physical effort can unite communities, and to spark conversations about a cause that matters deeply.

At Vihren, the highest peak in the Pirin

What was your first peak?

The challenge began on Belmeken (2,626m), in the Rila, in May 2022. It was a cold spring morning, and I climbed with a small group of friends. At the time, it felt like the start of a personal adventure, but I quickly realised it was becoming something bigger – a shared experience that would grow into a community of climbers, supporters, and friends.

At Big Kupen peak

What was the most memorable of all these climbs?

There were countless memorable moments: the sight of Vihren, Bulgaria's second-highest peak, shaped like a Toblerone bar from my childhood; meals under the stars; or waking up to pancakes cooked from scratch at 2,000m by one of our group who happens to be a Michelin-starred chef.

And the most challenging?

A winter weekend just after I had run a marathon. We underestimated the conditions, lost our way in deep snow, and ended up crawling across fallen trees high above the ground. By the time we returned, I had broken equipment, frostbitten toes, and sheer exhaustion. It was a sobering reminder that nature does not compromise.

At Small Todorka peak

You concluded your mission with Musala in the Rila, the highest peak in the Balkans. What was the most exciting thing in this climb?

Climbing Musala was about more than the height – it was about closing the circle. After more than three years, 56 peaks, and countless setbacks and triumphs, this was the summit that completed the challenge. What made it truly exciting was not doing it alone, but being joined by over 20 climbers on the summit. Even more powerful was knowing that together we had raised money that will help give disadvantaged children in Bulgaria the love, care, and opportunities they deserve. What started as a personal challenge became a community effort.

Do you have any specific memorable moments that sum up the challenge for you?

Two come to mind. The first was at a mountain hut. The manager, Ivan, had cared for it for more than 40 years. He spoke no English, but when he noticed the challenge details on our tops and understood the cause, he quietly pulled out his wallet, handed me two crisp 50-lev notes, hugged me and thanked me and the team. That gesture of support meant more than words could express.

Almost over - the 55th peak, Banski Suhodol

The second was on Musala. As we climbed, a solo hiker named Dimitar struck up a conversation with team members. By the time we reached the summit, he was so engaged with the challenge that he not only took our celebratory photo but also joined us afterwards in Sofia for the celebration. In just one day, the spirit of the 56 Peaks Challenge had captivated him, and he has since become a valued member of our growing family of climbers.

How have people responded to your challenges – both in Bulgaria and abroad?

The response has been extraordinary. In Bulgaria, hut keepers, hikers, and strangers often came up to me when they saw our 56 Peaks tops with QR codes.

At Mechit peak

Internationally, the challenge attracted climbers from more than 20 nationalities – Americans, French, Belgians, Brits, and many others. Some had visited Bulgaria many times but said they rediscovered the country through its mountains. That sense of shared experience – locals rediscovering their own country and foreigners falling in love with it – is something I will always treasure.

What is your main take from the whole initiative?

The main lesson is that challenges – mountains, marathons, personal goals – are never just about the what and the how. They are about the why behind them. Over the years, I have run marathons, cycled thousands of kilometres, kayaked rivers, and climbed mountains from Kilimanjaro to Elbrus. Each challenge reinforced the same truth: resilience, community, and purpose matter far more than medals or statistics. The Bulgarian 56 Peaks Challenge brought all of this together – we did not just climb mountains, we built something bigger than ourselves.

What comes next?

The Balkan 6 Peaks Challenge is my next adventure. This will take me to the highest mountains of Turkey, Greece, Romania, North Macedonia, and Serbia, along with Musala, extending the spirit of challenge, community, and charity across the region – all in aid of the For Our Children Foundation.

At Pastri Slap peak