Ten staff from Scotmid will be hitting the slopes to take on the world’s tallest mountain on 5th June, in a snowy charity challenge for Maggie’s Cancer Caring Centres.
The colleagues will be skiing, snowboarding or bum boarding the height of Mt Everest – 8,848m – at Snow Factor in Braehead in just one day.
Seven team members will be going for the solo Everest Challenge, which is 45 runs of the 200m indoor ski slope, while three will be taking on the challenge as a team. The team is hoping to raise £1,500 for Maggie’s, Scotmid’s charity partner, to add to the £150,000 that has been raised for the charity so far.
Scotmid’s Neville Muir, who organised the Everest Challenge at Snow Factor, said: “I came up with the idea for the Everest Challenge because it was a fun and different way to raise money for Maggie’s by doing something that I love to do, which is skiing. The challenge will see individuals and teams skiing, snowboarding or bum boarding the equivalent height of Mt Everest in 45 runs. One of the most challenging parts about it as actually going on the lift back up to the top as it’s very physically demanding.”
Neville added: “I have a personal experience with cancer and Maggie’s is a cause that’s very close to my heart. I’ve seen the fantastic work that they do first hand and I hope we can raise as much as possible to help their network of cancer support continue.”
Maggie’s Gemma Branney, Senior Corporate Fundraising Manager, said: “Scotmid have shown a huge amount of support to Maggie’s throughout our partnership and this is another fantastic event. The Everest Challenge is definitely one of the most unique fundraisers we have ever had in aid of our Centres and we can’t wait to see the skiers in action.”
Maggie’s offers free emotional, practical and social support to people with cancer and their family and friends. The unique programme of support on offer at Maggie’s Centres across the UK include drop in sessions with a professional Cancer Support Specialist, nutrition classes and art therapy.
The Scotmid Everest Challenge team can be sponsored at www.justgiving.com/scotmideverest
Solo Ski Challenge: Bobby Malek, Scott Ballantyne, Neville Muir, Andrew McLeod, Martin Devlin, Kirsty Ongley
Solo Snowboard Challenge: Brian Eley
Team Challenge: Shirley Muir, John Brodie, Carol Brodie