In the space of just a few years, we lost two truly special members of our family to Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis—our Uncle Ken and our Grandad Roy.

Pulmonary fibrosis is a rare, chronic and progressive lung disease that gradually makes breathing more and more difficult. There is currently no cure, and the treatments available to slow its progression can come with severe side effects—sometimes as limiting as being unable to go out in sunlight whilst taking the medication.

We believe more must be done: more research into the causes, the search for a cure, and better ways to make life more comfortable for those living with this devastating illness.

Both Uncle Ken and Grandad Roy lived life to the fullest. Ken had a deep love for hiking and the outdoors, while our grandad travelled far and wide with my Nan Margaret, long before it was common to do so. He was vibrant and adventurous—scuba diving, cycling, campervanning, motorbiking—and continued to take on challenges well into his 70s, right up until the disease took hold.

On September 27th 2026, we (Mum, Dad, George and I) will set off on an extraordinary journey in their memory. We will fly to Kathmandu, Nepal (located between China and India) and then take a small mountain plane to Lukla, where we’ll begin our ascent to the Base Camp of the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest.

The adventure will take around 3 weeks, where we’ll hike over 130 kilometres, and climb to just under 6000m elevation. At points there will be around 50% of the oxygen there would be at sea level. Making simple tasks such as walking, sleeping and eating extremely difficult - and causing risk of altitude sickness. However, the scenery, culture, challenge and adventure will be a once in a lifetime experience.

We are taking on this challenge to honour two amazing lives cut short by a disease that takes away something we all take for granted: the ability to breathe.

We would love your support in helping Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis continue their vital work. With your help, we can raise awareness, support those affected, and move closer to a future where this disease no longer takes the people we love.

Together, we can make a difference.

Amelia, George, Emma and Mark.