The president of Harrogate Brigantes Rotary Club has reached the summit of Everest – without leaving Yorkshire.
David Hayes and 20 members of the group have been covering the equivalent distance of Everest since late August.
They covered 3,900 miles and climbed 106,000 feet – which they calculated to be the Yorkshire equivalent trekking 1,525 miles and 1,056m feet to Everest’s summit.
Among those taking part was Graham Chilvers, who completed his distance and height quota by walking up and down the steps at Knaresborough Castle each day with his dog, Jet. Four Rotarians climbed Yorkshire’s highest peak, Whernside, on what turned out to be the hottest day of the year, while Tony Doveston went up and down the stairs of the high-rise building where he lives.
Tony Doveston contributed to the Everest challenge by climbing the stairs in his high-rise apartment building
Guy Wilson trekked up and down the hill behind his house, David Russell and John Benedict cycled, while others rowed, used a step machine, and walked around the Stray in Harrogate. One hardy participant even contributed to the total distance as he recovered from knee replacement surgery.
On reaching the ‘summit’, Mr Hayes said:
“I am only standing here because of the enormous efforts of club members over the last few weeks.
“Daily they have walked, climbed, cycled and rowed to build up the real distance and height that were needed to get me here. They’re all in their 70s but they’ve put their bodies through a gruelling regime to get us to our goal.”
The fundraising total so far stands at £3,500, with donations still coming in. The money will be split between the Brigantes’ Covid Relief Fund, mental health charity Wellspring, and Carers’ Resource.
A blog of updates on the expedition can be found on the Brigantes’ website.
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Harrogate Rotary virtually climb Everest for charity
Harrogate Brigantes Rotary club is climbing to the peak of Everest, virtually, to raise money for its Covid Relief Fund.
To succeed members have to walk over 1,500 miles and climb 1,000,000 feet.
Over the past few weeks, members have been banking their miles by trekking across Yorkshire Dales, climbing up the steps to Knaresborough Castle or even in a high-rise apartment.
Twenty members have accumulated enough miles to reach Everest base camp. Now, all are working hard towards the President’s final assault to the peak.
The target is £5000 and most of the money raised will go to support two organisations. Carers’ Resource and Wellspring offer a variety of services to help people and communities suffering from the fall-out from Covid.
President of the club, David Hayes, said:
“The Covid pandemic has greatly increased the needs of many in our community. At the start of lockdown Harrogate Brigantes established a Covid Relief Fund to direct money to the most needy people and causes. To raise money for this we have had to think of innovative initiatives. The biggest so far is our virtual expedition to conquer Everest and get me to the top.
This is a great challenge as we’re all past our prime and are having to do a great deal of hill walking and stair climbing to get near the miles along and feet up we need. But I’m looking forward to the final assault.”
The rotary President stands on the peak of “Everest” – ahead of the final assault.
The President is expected to reach the peak over the next couple of weeks.
The Covid Relief Fund has been used to support a wide variety of local charities, projects and causes. Including supply of PPE to local health workers and care homes, afternoon teas for isolated older people, baking packs for young carers.
As lockdown has eased, the focus has changed to helping local charities dealing with the longer term issues such as mental health.
Read more:
- Knaresborough’s rotary club gets a new President – she’s a skydiving enthusiast.
- A local emotional wellbeing charity has received further funding to continue to run workshops for children during the school holidays.
The club has already raised £2500 in sponsorships. To donate to the cause, you can click here.
Harrogate cyclist climbs height of Everest in DalesOn Saturday Bruno Marks, a member of Cappuccino Cycling Club in Harrogate, attempted to ‘Everest’, cycling up and down Park Rash in Kettlewell forty times.
‘Everesting’ is a cycling term that involves choosing a steep hill and cycling up and down it until reaching 29,029ft – the equivalent height of Mount Everest.
Bruno began his challenge at 4:30am on Saturday morning and completed the challenge at 8pm that evening, climbing a total of 30,942ft. He decided to raise money for Cancer Research UK the night before the challenge.
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He told The Stray Ferret:
“The day started great at 4.30 am, with a fantastic sunrise on my first lap to lift the spirits, but by 6am an hour long downpour had started! It made it pretty tough having to descend very slowly and carefully and getting very cold in the process. But the legs felt strong and I completed 40 laps with 30,942 ft of ascent at around 8pm.”
Bruno climbed a total of 30,942 ft in very bad weather.
Bruno has raised £3,448 so far for Cancer Research UK. To donate to Bruno’s challenge visit – https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/bruno-park-rash-everesting