We all face challenges at various points in our lives; physical, mental, and emotional. Some have greater lasting impacts than others, but each is as valid and real the next because it’s your challenge. Whether it is an illness, exams, or a marathon, voluntary or not, at times, they can all seem unachievable and overbearing.
As you’ll be aware, many people like to undertake physical challenges such as marathons, skydiving or cross channel swims, to name but a few, to raise money and awareness for causes close to their hearts.
So here is one like this, that I am passionate about, and that my parents have recently completed, called Everest in The Alps. This is the ultimate ski touring challenge, where over 4 days teams walk up hill on skis with the aim to climb the vertical height of Everest, 8,848m, in the Swiss alps. It involves around 10-12 hours of walking per day and only 3 hours of downhill skiing in total, all with the aim to raise money for the Brain Tumour Charity and more specifically paediatric brain tumour research.
The challenge was inspired by a boy called Toby, and established by his father, Rob, to raise money for paediatric brain tumour research after Toby was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumour in reception. The brain tumour is on his spinal cord, and it took a while to be diagnosed, so when it was, it was the size of a snooker ball, sitting at the base of his skull. Due to its position, it is unable to be removed by an operation. So, following the diagnosis, he has endured 2 major surgeries, 18 months of chemo and many more months in hospital, and it has finally started to shrink.
Here is a short video by a man called Phil Spencer who is a friend of Toby’s family and who has now completed the challenge twice. He explains a little more about Toby’s story, the journey him and his family have endured over the last 14 years, completing the challenge and where the money that has been raised goes towards.
Since the first ascent in 2015 there have been 5 more, with around 100 people completing the challenge in total, and, as the video mentioned, all to raise money for the Brain Tumour Charity. Now, well over £5 million has been raised for the Everest Centre, funding the specific, ground-breaking, research that has and will continue to save thousands of children lives, suffering from brain tumours like Toby’s.
Throughout every obstacle he has faced, Toby has shown remarkable courage and strength beyond his years. He’s a true inspiration, and no matter how hard it gets on Everest in the Alps, remembering the incredibly steep climb Toby, and all those in similar positions to him, have had to make, is the fuel that keeps you going.
But it’s not about comparing your challenges to anyone else’s, who you may feel is more significant, but about finding the strength to face your own. We all have challenges – and they are relevant and personal to each and every one of us.
Everest In the Alps not only raises money, but it is also responsible for inspiring people to take on the challenges of their lives; to push themselves to the edge, to find their peak through months of physical and mental preparation, and huge determination. It is a matter of looking forward to the finish line, where the sense of personal achievement plus fulfilment of helping others are your reward. Doing something that your future self will thank you for.
Everest in the Alps is a challenge I hope to achieve myself, and maybe this has persuaded some of you to do it too.
But I guess my main message is to go out there, do something meaningful, to you, make a difference, and find your Everest.
Poppy de Lazlo, Deputy Head Girl
Photo Credit: Karl Köhler on Unsplash
