Everest 2012
In 2012, I am aiming to become one of the youngest Britons to climb Mount Everest, at 8848m, the highest mountain on earth.
A challenge such as this and the preparatory expeditions preceding the Everest expedition present great a platform from which to promote and raise awareness for the causes I am supporting.
Through my climbs, I am supporting two causes which are both close to my heart and close to the hearts of climbers and athletes alike.
Firstly, I am supporting the charity Global Angels. Fronted by Molly Bedingfield, mother to singers Daniel and Natasha; Global Angels is a charity which champions children’s causes all around the world which aims to make the world a kinder place for the future generations. Through Global Angels, many initiatives can be supported. As an athlete, and someone passionate about sport however, one project stuck out to me more than any other; it was Global Angels quest to provide water to every child on the planet who lacks it.
Every athlete should know the consequences of dehydration, and how vital water is. Dehydration of just 2% loss of body weight from water loss is enough to impair sports performance, while only a 10% loss leads to circulatory collapse and heat stroke.
Through my climbs, I am aiming to raise £8848, £1 for each meter climbed on Everest. For every £10 raised, Global Angels is able to provide 1 person with safe drinking water for 20 years. If you consider my expedition, upon reaching the total, Global Angels will be able to provide safe drinking water to almost 1000 children for 20 years.
To me, it was a clear choice to raise money for Global Angels water projects.
Finally, through my climbs, I am raising awareness for Climate Unchange, a new online tool which enables everyone to offset their carbon emissions simply, effectively and tangibly. The view of Climate Unchange is simple. The climate is changing both through natural processes and through the effects of humans. As humans, we have a moral responsibility to look after our planet for future generations, and hence by offsetting our carbon uses, we can remove the human influence to climate change, and allow the planet to change and evolve naturally.
Climate Change is a process close to many mountaineers hearts. We climb in some of the most beautiful yet fragile environments on earth, so to allow future generations to enjoy the magic found in these places for as long as possible is the sole aim of Climate Unchange.
