The Everest Challenge was set up by a local father, Rob Ritchie, whose son was diagnosed with a brain tumour 6 years ago when he was 5, the aim was to raise money for The Brain Tumour Charity which funds research specifically into paediatric brain tumours. Rob's son has a tumour in his brain stem, at the time there was no treatment and no cure and very little research into cause or treatment. The huge sum of money raised so far by those who have endured Everest in the Alps has now funded a research centre and there is beginning to be progress in understanding paediatric brain tumours.