Saval’s “Everest Challenge” in May

If you can't picture the scale of Everest, it is the highest peak on earth – 8,848 metres into the clouds. It takes focus, discipline and a little bit of madness for anyone to take this on but if there was ever a time for focus, discipline and a large helping of madness this current crisis is the time.

We’re all struggling through this Coronavirus crisis, cut off from some of our family & friends, no Friday night games, no coming together for training, no nights out…..tough isn’t it!

Now picture this. Saval’s own U-14 Girls mentor Damien Hillen’s situation is slightly more challenging than what we’re all struggling with but he’s not sitting back feeling sorry for himself. 12 months ago Damien underwent major heart surgery followed by a year of ups and downs, progress and setbacks, adjusting to new norms, meds and lifestyle adjustments. Just when Damien was getting on top of things and throwing himself into coaching the U-14 girls the current coronavirus crisis Kicked off.

Obviously with what Damien has been through he can’t afford to expose himself to any chance of picking up the virus so lockdown means complete lockdown with his back garden being his furthest escape form the house and probably will be until a vaccine is available. Reason enough to sit back and feel sorry for yourself is what most of us would probably do but that’s not Damien’s style so he set himself a number of challenges, one of which is the ‘Everest Challenge’ (he’s also walking a marathon every week in his 10 metre long garden)! The Everest Challenge involves Climbing 52,047 steps (actually104,094 steps in total including back down) which Damien is doing on his 5 steps in his back garden. He aims to complete this by the 31st May.

So here’s the Challenge – between the 1st May to 31st May as a Club we want as many of our members, and anyone else in the community interested, to join Damien and take on “Saval’s Everest Challenge”. This will involve completing the 104,094 step climbs (stairs/steps/hills) or walking the equivalent which is approximately 80km.

Our target is to raise much needed funding which will go to support Chest, Heart & Stroke & the development of a new Community Walkway. The Club has committed to the development of a walkway open to all in our community and it will be an amazing resource for all of us to enjoy when this crisis has passed. We want to get a minimum of 100 people/families involved and are asking everyone to pledge £50 (if family completing the Challenge minimum of £50 but at your discretion if you want to contribute more) and take up the Challenge.

So yet again let’s come together as a Club, get the trainers and boots on and let’s join Damien on the journey in completing Saval’s Everest Challenge. We’ll be posting pics & videos and progress reports of everyone involved throughout the month. To sign up please contact Jimmy McAloon on 07928671816 or contact any of the Committee members.