Update 25/10/11

"Dear all,

Mission Accomplished! We reached Everest Base Camp (Alt. 5365m) on October 14th and have now made it safely back down to Kathmandu and are due to arrive back shortly. The views and experience were spectacular and we are really grateful for all your donations to date.

Overall the Wooden Spoon team have raised nearly £80,000. We personally are very close to our target and would appreciate any last donations you may care to make; all amounts are welcome.

Thanks again, and we will see you all soon.

Ian, Chris and Dan"

 

Quick update 12/10/11

"Hi all,

We thought we'd take the opportunity of the last communications to give an update of our progress; we're currently in a hamlet called Phariche at 4240m with three days to go until we reach Everest Base Camp and see Everest itself. The going has been tough and the acclimatisation has been difficult. We face a 700m ascent to Lobuche tomorrow with no contact possible from here on in.

Thank you for all those who have already given for the two worthy causes we have chosen to raise money and awareness for; no contribution is too small and all amounts raised will be greatly appreciated by Wooden Spoon and Help for Heroes.

Thanks
Ian, Chris and Dan"

This October Ian and Daniel Bagshaw, and Chris Kelly will be trekking to Mount Everest base camp to raise funds for Wooden Spoon, a children's charity founded in 1983 that is dedicated to helping underprivileged children and young people all over the UK and Ireland to live happier, richer lives.

Wooden Spoon is comprised of over 40 regional volunteer committees as well as a central national team and boasts more than 10,000 members across the UK and Ireland. The regional committees undertake local fundraising activities and ensure that the money is spent on projects in their community so that the benefit of our work is always immediate, visible and lasting.

During their first 25 years, over half a million young people benefitted from more than £15 million pounds of charitable support thanks to the efforts of our staff and volunteers.

 

A message from Chris -  

"I am making large personal donation to this cause and was not going to seek additional charitable contributions. However, walking through the villages of Nepal has reminded me that one can never do enough to help underprivileged children. It would be a shame not to do more with the opportunity presented by this trek."

 

And a note from the Bagshaws -

"We are currently en route to Everest Base Camp which, at 5300m, leaves us with another 2500m left to climb. Before setting out on the trip, and after a visit to Headley Court (the British Army's rehabilitation hospital), Ian and I were determined to raise some much needed funds for the charity Help for Heroes. As many will know, this is a very worthwhile charity which attempts to lessen some of the hardship faced by those servicemen who have been injured.

In addition to this, the trip is organised by the UK charity, Wooden Spoon, who help disadvantaged children in the UK. By completing this expedition we hope to help these two key charities and would appreciate any help you may be able to give as no donation is too small.

Thanks,
Ian and Dan"