EVEREST UPDATE

SCALING THE HEIGHTS

Severe weather halts climb just 700 feet from Everest summit but still raises an amazing £33,000 for charity.

Proving that heroes come in all walks of life, the Chief Executive Officer of the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI), Damian Walters, has returned to the UK after having to abandon his attempt to scale Mount Everest at 28,300 feet, just 700 feet from its summit!

Sadly, this incredible feat of endurance was aborted due to the severest of inclement weather conditions that included life threatening high winds and storms. However, despite having to make the gut-wrenching decision to call off his climb so near completion, he can be somewhat placated in the knowledge that his courage and fortitude raised an amazing £33,000 for charity!

In his pursuit for the summit, Damian endured a two month expedition that included extreme weather, severe altitude sickness, a two stone weight loss and conditions that prevented many fellow climbers from reaching the top.

“The past two months on Everest was harder than I could ever imagine, but an incredible expedition nevertheless. 

“When you are so close to the peak it’s easy to adopt a ‘summit at any cost’ mindset which many climbers do and sadly lose their lives but returning home from the mountain was always more important to me and of course my wonderful family.”

I’m immensely proud of getting so close to the summit and despite my initial disappointment, I now look back on the experience as a great personal victory both physically and mentally.” Said Damian: “When you are so close to the peak it’s easy to adopt a ‘summit at any cost’ mind-set which many climbers do and sadly lose their lives but returning home from the mountain was always more important to me and of course my wonderful family.”

The money that Damian raised has been obtained by corporate sponsorship and donations from the industry, friends and family. Damian’s suit and flag sponsors included Cabinet Maker, Chimera Insurance, Classi Seal by Classic Marble, Designer Contracts, Geoflex Shield, HIPPO™, Furniture Village, Instant Print W1, KBB Review, NICEIC, The January Furniture Show, TradePoint and UK Special Risks. He commented: “The generosity of companies and folks around me has been truly amazing and I thank them all from the bottom of my heart. I want to personally thank the sponsors for enabling me to raise £33,000 (to date), especially my main sponsor and long time BiKBBI supporter, Classic Marble.”

Damian added: “The Furniture Makers Company is a charity that is dear to my 

heart and is the BiKBBI’s chosen charity and so I feel very content that they are the benefactors of my efforts.” In response, Dr Tony Smart MBE, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: “On behalf of The Furniture Makers’ Company, I would like to congratulate Damian for achieving something truly special. This accomplishment needs to be recognised and celebrated, particularly as he has been raising money for our charity.”

Christopher Hackett, Classic Marble’s Managing Director, said: “Everyone at Classi would like to congratulate Damian for what has been a huge challenge and glad that he has returned home safe and sound. We are delighted to have been the main sponsor for his Everest expedition.”

It's not too late to help grow the £33,000, if you feel so inclined then just go to the link below or contact Richard Ainsworth, Fundraising Manager at The Furniture Makers’ Company.

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/DamianclimbsEverest