Neil Daws
Neil's Everest Base Camp Trek 2017
Fundraising for Cancer Research UK
Story
- My mother was diagnosed with cancer in January and died in October 2016; one of my best friends also fought a long battle against cancer, dying in April 2016; and I have known other family members and friends who have either died or recovered from it in one form or another. As an active charity supporter and fundraiser through previous treks and activities it seemed the natural choice to don the boots once again to raise funds for Cancer Research UK, a national charity which researches treatments and cures for many types of cancer.
- Therefore, in September 2017, I will be flying to Lukla in Nepal (reputedly the 'world's most dangerous airport') to take part in a trek to Everest Base Camp with Really Wild Challenges to raise money for Cancer Research UK.
- I will be walking for up to 8 hours and covering up to 15 km each day on the 13 day trek, climbing to Base Camp at 5,357m and Mount Kalapatthar at 5,647m. Compare that with the height of Kilimanjaro, one of my previous treks, at 5,895 the highest free standing mountain in the world and the highest point in Africa, and you can see it is no easy task. The thin air at these altitudes makes walking much more difficult.
- Having retired in December 2015 after 30 years as a civil servant, I hope this opportunity to trek to one of the most famous places in the world of exploration will raise funds for Cancer Research UK.
- By the start of the trek, I will have celebrated my Silver Wedding Anniversary and celebrated my two daughters' 18th and 24th birthdays. I will have my 58th birthday in Nepal on the last day of the trek.