Everest in the Alps
Do you have what it takes to climb the height of Everest over four consecutive days and raise vital funds for research into paediatric brain tumours?
The intrepid skiers taking on this extraordinary physical and mental challenge will travel to the alpine village of Verbier in Switzerland and battle unpredictable conditions to complete the 8,848m climb. Experiencing altitudes of up to 3,500m, each challenger will burn through a daily average of 10,000 calories – the equivalent of running 3 back-to-back marathons!
Everest in the Alps is back in 2024!
If you want to take on this unique challenge, you can find out more on the Everest in the Alps website or read on for more about the inspiration behind the event.
Everest in the Alps was first tackled in 2015, and has raised an incredible £5.4m to date for The Brain Tumour Charity. We’ve reached our original target of £5m and are now on to the next stage of fundraising.
The funds support the work of the Everest Centre for Research into Paediatric Low Grade Brain Tumours; a ground-breaking international research initiative aiming to improve understanding of low grade childhood brain tumours, and to develop and test new treatments that are significantly less harmful to children’s quality of life.
Research is well underway and is making great progress. However, to maintain the momentum of this vital programme of work and secure the fantastic team we have in place, we aim to raise another £5m over the next 5 years.
There is a no time to waste – we need to accelerate the work required to improve the lives of thousands of children living with a brain tumour as soon as possible.
The story behind the challenge
The gruelling climb was inspired by our former trustee Rob Ritchie – who scaled the same heights three years earlier with a group of friends and family.
Rob was motivated after getting the shocking news that his five-year-old son Toby had a low-grade tumour and has vowed to help speed up the search for a cure.
Toby’s diagnosis changed his life and ours. The Everest Centre has brought together international experts to accelerate progress towards more effective and less harmful treatments for slower-growing brain tumours, which can have a devastating long-term impact.
Rob’s son Toby was diagnosed with a low grade (slower-growing) brain tumour on his brain stem at the age of five
Sadly, Toby is not an isolated case. Globally, over 26,870 children and young adults have a paediatric low grade (slower growing) brain tumour. Every day a young person takes another step in dealing with their own personal Everest.
Learn how The Everest Centre became a reality from the point of Toby’s diagnosis to the fundraising efforts of Everest in the Alps.
Could you push yourself further and help stop brain tumours in their tracks?
Watch the video to see how incredible the 2018 challenge was and click below to find out more about the 2022 challenge.