The Virtual Everest Challenge has seen 100 cadets, volunteers and family members take part in reaching 8848m, the height of Mount Everest, through hiking, stair climbing and even upping the incline on a static bike. However they chose to complete the challenge over £11,000 has been fundraised and we are so proud of everyone who has taken part! Here are what some of the cadets had to say:
JCFC Oliver from Burton fundraised £200 – “I joined this challenge as I was looking for something to do during lockdown to keep active and thought this is a great way to raise money for the unit and Sea Cadets. I love climbing and one day hope to climb Mount Everest itself!”
Cadet Evan from Conwy County fundraised £100 – “The challenge built up my fitness and kept me motivated to do something through Covid lockdowns. It helped to raise money for Sea Cadets at the same time.”
“I've taken part in several challenges during the Covid-19 lockdown and have to say the Virtual Everest Challenge has been my favourite”
Monty is a Royal Marines cadet at TS Galloway in Preston who fundraised £100. He credits much of his achievements to the principles of integrity, determination, achievement & leadership embodied in the ethos of the Sea Cadets. “I've taken part in several challenges during the Covid-19 lockdown and have to say the Virtual Everest Challenge has been my favourite.”
JC Felix from Burton was determined to finish, that with 3 weeks to go he still had over 3800m still to do. His family told us: “We had to sit him down and say that, despite all his effort, Lockdown restrictions and illness had made it impossible, but we would explain and ask for an extension. He would not hear of it!! "I can do it, I know I can! Don't ask for an extension!" So after some calculations he decided that he would climb our stairs at home SIXTY times EVERY DAY for the remaining THREE weeks! He has 2 days left of his 12 weeks and his effort and persistence have been Herculean! This is the hardest challenge he has done but the summit is in sight!”
One cadet, Hannah from Farnham, Aldershot & Fleet, even had a very special donor! Her mum said: “The coolest thing about Hannah's fundraising was that she had a very special donor - Sir Chay Blyth CBE BEM! Sir Chay was the first person to sail single-handed non-stop westwards around the world, and mentor to the first woman to do the same. Over the past few years he has followed Hannah's sailing progress with the Sea Cadets including her voyages on TS Royalist, both yachts and TS Jack Petchey… awesome to have such a donor!”
A HUGE well done again to all those who have finished the challenge and a big good luck to those who are still going – you can do it! BZ.
