EVEREST CHALLENGE

MOUNT EVEREST CHALLENGE

$420,000 raised since 2016

Climb for a cause

If scaling Mount Everest’s on your bucket list, now’s your chance.

PHOTOS SUPPLIED

OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED Snap up an Everest-inspired scoop (or two) for a special price from Monte Gelato, with proceeds going to TECT. Check out the More FM Mount Everest Challenge Facebook page to find out which other businesses are participating.

If you feel as if climbing Everest sounds fun in principle but in practice a bit cold and, err, tough, then you can do the equivalent right here, without having to travel to the Himalayas. That way, you can also raise money for a well-deserved local charity.

The More FM Mount Everest Challenge is simple: climb the Mount 38 times in 50 days, and every single cent your sponsors donate will go to charity. This year’s recipient is the TECT Rescue Helicopter, which is particularly in our minds after its efforts in transporting people from White Island after the eruption.

Not all the climbers are adults looking to keep fit. Four boys (pictured left) from Pyes Pa primary school are climbing in remembrance of their teacher, Sue Walmsley, who passed away after a car accident. Jackson (9) and Kaden Carter (7), Owen (10) and James McNamee (7) are climbing the Mount 10 times each, and at the time of going to print, the boys had raised more than $2400.