Who hasn’t dreamt of scaling Mount Everest, the world’s highest mountain? For most people it will remain a dream but for Mick Lazarus from Stretham it is about to become a reality as he plans to take on the infamous Mount from the safety of the UK’s flattest county, Cambridgeshire!

Made popular during the Covid lockdown, when some intrepid people decided that climbing the equivalent height of Everest by repeatedly ascending and descending their staircases, was a good idea.

Father-of-two Mick will be taking the challenge into the great outdoors when he attempts to climb the 20m high mound at Kingfisher Bridge in Wicken near Ely, a 250 acre Nature Reserve – a hidden gem in the heart of the Fens. It does of course mean Mick will need to make over 442 ascends (and descends, which don’t count towards the total) to reach the 8,849m height of Everest, and in only three days - 14, 15 and 16 June.

Mick, who has experienced thyroid issues over the last two years which has required radioactive iodine treatment, is taking on this challenge in support of two local charities (see below)

Addenbrookes Charitable Trust – Donations will go direct to Children’s Services at Addenbrooke’s Hospital which will help ensure that children’s experience continue to be positive and worry free – whether by providing specialist play and music therapy, improving surgical and diagnostic tools to help children recover better, or offering therapeutic support to the whole family when they need it most.

Jimmy’s Night Shelter – Opened in 1995 as Cambridge’s first all year round night shelter, it remains one of the most prominent organisations within the community, supporting people who have been rough sleeping in the city. Donations will ensure that Jimmy’s can continue to provide vital, life-changing support to help people in their journey through homelessness.