My name is Tomás O'Connell and I'm 15 years old and in TY in St David's school in Greystones. This September/October, I am climbing to Everest Base Camp and I want to use this as an opportunity to raise funds for the RNLI.

This will be an epic journey for me. We arrive by plane in Lukla on September 29th. Over the next 8 days we will hike for almost 40 hours to reach Everest base camp at 5,354m above sea level.  Some of that time will be spent getting used to the high altitude and extremely low temperatures.  And it doesn't end there because once we get to Base Camp, we have to turn around and hike all the way back to Lukla....

Over the next few weeks, I will be planning and packing my gear, training in the Wicklow mountains and preparing myself for this massive challenge. I have posted a day-by-day plan of my trip below and I'll try to post updates while we are hiking.

I am raising funds for the RNLI in Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford.  My great grandfather, Jimmy Kehoe, a former station mechanic with Kilmore Quay RNLI, was awarded a 'Thanks of the Institution' Inscribed on Vellum, by the RNLI, for his part in a dangerous rescue off the Saltee Islands 63 years ago: "in a fresh south to south westerly gale with gusts at times of Force 10, in Ballyteige Bay on the 19 December, 1957.Augusta Mariste, which successfully rescued 10 seamen from the ill-stricken French trawler Ann Isabella Pyemont".  Jimmy was one of seven crew members on the Kilmore Quay lifeboat.

I am lucky enough to be out on the sea around the Saltee Islands with my grandad, James Kehoe, son of Jimmy Kehoe. And we have seen at first hand the great work that the Kilmore Quay lifeboat crew do. As a charity, the RNLI depends on our donations so it can go on saving lives and keeping us safe. RNLI lifesavers are our lifeline.

I am really looking forward to this experience.

Thank you.

IF ANYONE HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE DONATE LINK PLEASE CONTACT ME ON +353879193333 or roisin@ieinternet.com

Here is the day to day plan from the time we leave on 27 September

DAY 1 (27 Sept)
Depart Dublin.

DAY 2 (28 Sept)
Arrive in Kathmandu.

DAY 3 (29 Sept)
Kathmandu to Lukla to Phakding (2,610m), 3 hrs trekking.
Fly to Lukla in the morning and trek to Phakding.

DAY 4 (30 Sept)
Phakding to Namche Bazaar (3,440m), 8 hrs.
Trek along the Dudh Kosi River and then through pine forest to reach Namche Bazzar.

DAY 5 (1 Oct)
Rest and Acclimatisation Day.
Rest day for acclimatisation at Namche Bazaar. Explore the village market and surrounding area.
Might hike up to Khumjung (this is the village that is in the movie "Sherpa")

DAY 6 (2 Oct)
Namche Bazaar to Phortse (3,950m), 5 hrs.
Enjoy a scenic walk to Phortse with stunning views of Ama Dablam.

DAY 7 (3 Oct)
Phortse to Dingboche (4,410m), 6 hrs.
Another stunning day on the trail today which offers views of Everest if the weather is clear.

DAY 8
Rest and Acclimatisation Day.
A rest day in Dingboche.

DAY 9
Dingboche to Lobuche, 6 hrs.
We trek past the climber’s memorial to reach Lobuche.

DAY 10 (6 Oct)
Lobuche to Everest Base Camp to Gorakshep (5,164m), 9 hrs.
Trek to Everest Base Camp (5,364m) before descending to Gorakshep.

DAY 11
Gorakshep to Kala Patthar (5,550m) to Pheriche (4,371m,) 10 hrs.
Trek to Kala Patthar in the early morning is followed by a long walk out to Pheriche.

DAY 12
Pheriche to Tengboche (3,860m), 4 hrs.
Descend to Tengboche with great views throughout the day.

DAY 13
Tengboche to Namche Bazaar (3,440m), 4 hrs.

DAY 14
Namche Bazaar to Phakding (2,610m), 5 hrs.
We retrace our steps to reach Phakding.

DAY 15
Phakding to Lukla (2,860m), 3 hrs.
Our last day of trekking takes us back to Lukla.

DAY 16
Lukla to Kathmandu.

DAY 17
Depart Kathmandu.

DAY 18 (14 Oct)
Arrive in Dublin.