A couple  of months ago these 3 amigos were together socialising in a casual capacity when Gary Friday stated he had the desire to raise funds for the Marie Curie Hospice in Liverpool which provides care and treatment for the terminally ill.

Gary had the intention  to do this by Trekking up to18,500 ft beyond  Mount Everest Base Camp following which  he will compete in the highest and arguably the most difficult,  physically demanding marathon on earth " The Tenzing Hilary  Mount Everest Marathon"  while he is up there!!! (Very optimistic  and slightly mentally unhinged is our Gary, but by Jove we believe he can do it)

This idea was very well received by the intrepid Ray Cheshire and reinforced by the debonair Mr Roger Perry, who decided they too will embark on the arduous 19 day trek to and above Mount Everest Base Camp. Where they can enjoy the virtues of minus 20 degree temperatures and air so thin that extra oxygen will feel like caviar.

The three are united in sharing the bond of their friends and families personal losses to the cruel, indiscriminate and belligerent  effects of Dementia  Cancer and other terminal illness, all of which are lessened by the wonderful care and support that Marie Curie provide.

On visiting the Marie Curie Hospice to see how they could help, it was agreed they will "Endeavour" ( apparently Everest is synonymous with the word Endeavour) to raise £6397 which is how much it costs to keep the Hospice open for just  a day to provide essential services for the  terminally ill.

On  reaching the target, which they say feels as high as Everest at the moment, the trio get to choose the date and name the day that they are  raising  the money for. Regarding this they  have agreed  (only with each sponsors permission) to forward the  name of everyone who has donated however large or small to Marie Curie so it is  a Day from the People  for the People. and as they say in Nepal a "Namaste Day" (We are all One).

As a means of fundraising the Fun boy 3  have previously completed  3 separate  5 Mile "Race the Bus Beat the Bus" challenges racing and narrowly beating the Liverpool City Explorer Tour Bus around the city of Liverpool.

The group also initiated a Valentines "Run with the Bus " on Sunday 12 th February 2017 and had a joyous time running around the iconic city of Liverpool

On 29/5/17  after 11 days trekking up to 7 hours a day ,and spending 2 nights residing on a 2 mile deep block  of ice,  Gary successfully completed the Mount Everest Marathon  in aid of Marie Curie.

Now back in England, Gary was asked to reflect on his months experience in Nepal.

" I consider my ignorance to have been my bliss "  Gary  explains some of the obstacles his group encountered on their ascent above Everest Base Camp to Kala Pathar.

Our group of 12 was diminished to 9 after they had to  be evacuated from the Mountains with serious life threatening illnesses , a runner in our group from New Zealand had to be airlifted out of Base Camp with only hours to live" This combined with the plane that had taken us up the Mountains crashing several days later and  the sad news that another Marathon runner from Singapore had died on the ascent from Altitude sickness certainly put the wind in our sails.

However we had the antidote to all of this in the form of the superb smiling Sherpas who guided  us up the Mountains never allowing us to contemplate anything remotely negative and encouraged everyone of us when we thought of giving up.

The most arduous and gruelling part of this Marathon was being healthy enough to resembal someone who could stand on both feet at the starting line, which can be difficult  when the start was on an ice glacier !!!! I don't know who I resembled more, probably not Torville or Dean.

The chaps would really welcome any suggestions to help raise funds for Marie Curie as the most difficult challenge is now to raise the £6397, so anybody with any ideas they would be greatly appreciated.

If anyone would like to help  with the collections please do not hesitate to get in touch as any assistance is greatly received.

To join the fun contact Gary on 0773 087 4020 or Ray on 07428 193412  or even Roger 07769 943723 or alternatively notify us via the  just giving web site that you are  currently on ( Gary - Roger- Ray- Everest)

Thank you for reading and supporting us remembering each time we give we are without doubt destined to receive.