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Walking with altitude

A father and daughter from the West Midlands will trek almost to the top of the world in April to raise money for charity.

John and Eleanor Stewart plan to reach the summit of Kala Patthar – 18,404 feet - via the Everest base camp.

Without the benefit of altitude training the pair know the Himalayan hike will be a tough one but are determined to try and raise £5,000 for the Tong-Len charity, which supports displaced families especially children in one of the poorest parts of India.

Said John, 55, from Halstead Grove in Solihull and a strategist with RBS: “We have been told that even if we are well acclimatised, the climb will be tough. The fact that the highest we’ve been able to get is the top floor of the banks’ offices in Bishopsgate means we could be struggling both physically and mentally.”

“However, giving up our home comforts to help some of the most challenged people in the world is sure to push us to the limits of what we can achieve. We are also extremely excited about visiting one of the most remote and beautiful places in the world.”

It was Eleanor’s idea to undertake the ten day trek – including rest days to acclimatise to the altitude. The 26-year-old Cambridge Graduate and Solihull School alumni is now working as a sustainability manager with Sir Robert McAlpine in London, added: “I’m sure it will be a challenge but the reward of being able to see the top of the world whilst helping others will drive us on.

“I had initially been looking into taking on the Inca trail, however, when reading about the 60th anniversary of the first Everest ascent by Sir Edmund Hillary I discovered that there were opportunities to trek up to the base camp.

“I contacted my dad and after some discussion we decided it was something that we wanted to take on together. The altitude and basic facilities – most notably the lack of any showers – will be interesting, but I’m looking forward to visiting Nepal, experiencing the culture and of course, tackling the route.”

Already the Stewarts have managed to secure around £2,000 in sponsorship, thanks to three £500 corporate deals from Club Scuderia – a members forum for Ferrari owners and enthusiasts; Elix-IRR Partners LLP, a management consultancy based in London and ECR Global, a specialist recruitment consultancy based in New Barnet. John is also in discussion with his employer, RBS, about a sizeable donation.

Anyone wishing to support the Stewarts with their fund raising can visit the just giving page they have set up at www.justgiving.com/John-Stewart12 to make a donation.

Tong-Len is working in the Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh where there are a large number of communities of up to 600 people struggling to survive in flimsy make-shift shelters. Children, like their parents, have little or no opportunities for education and many spend their days scavenging and begging.

The Stewarts support Nanku who is one of the children benefitting from Tong-Len and whilst they won’t be close enough to visit this time, they hope that one day they will see the good work first hand.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Dobbie .