In 2012 I will be part of an expedition to Everest that will trek to base camp to 17,500ft above sea level. There will be approximately 20 colleagues from St. James’s Place Wealth Management who together hope to raise £500,000 for The St. James Place foundation that grants awards to smaller UK registered charities operating in the UK and abroad.

From base camp onwards several members of the team including the expedition leader Roger Owen will attempt to summit Everest.

Having been involved in other events that have raised funds for The St. James’s Foundation including The Three Peaks challenge, The Ten Tores event on Dartmoor as well has completing several long distance walks such as Pennine Way, Hadrian’s Wall and the coast to coast, this trip presents a significant step up in terms of endurance required to track over  100 miles coping with the effects of high altitude and problems with health and stamina associated with such a challenge but where the conditions enable you to discover your personal limitations and physical qualities.

Raising £500,000 will not be easy and I would be very grateful if you could consider contributing to our cause by sponsoring the team and myself on this adventure. 

You can pledge contributions by using the pledge form enclosed and returning it to me at the address below or by giving online to my donations web site @ http://www.justgiving.com/Andrew-Whiting0

This is not a subsidised trek and every member of the expedition is paying for his/her costs in full and I would emphasise that every penny raised goes to The St. James’s Place Foundation and then to the charities that apply for grants some of the charities who have benefited include

• The Teenage Cancer Trust - The Foundation has donated over £440,000 to fund patient technology in three of Teenage Cancer Trust's specialist units - Birmingham Children's Hpspital, St. James's in Leeds and the Royal Marsden in Surrey.
• The Children’s Society Trust - The foundation donated £1.2 million to the Children's Trust to fund the building of a specialist Hydrotherapy Centre for children with acquired brain injuries.
• Millie Bus Trust Fund, Coventry - The foundation donated £9,000 towards the purchase of a new mini bus. The charity allows young people and adults with physical, mental and learning difficulties and disabilities to access community facilities in support of their education and training and to aid the development of their social and life skills. The Millie Bus Trust owns a mini-bus known as 'Millie' which has a wheelchair lift and is used to transport learners at City College Coventry.  

Thank you for your contribution and support of our cause and if you would like to follow our progress you can register for regular updates at the website below.

www.sjp.co.uk/everest2012

Thank you in anticipation

Andrew Whiting