Everest Challenge benefits from ‘quiet hour’

Some 2,000 people from across the island took part in the event, which is held annually at Le Murier to raise money towards residential trips for students.

Recent years have seen between £15,000 and £20,000 raised and, with the total nearing £13,000 by Saturday lunchtime, event organiser and outdoor learning teacher Gary Dovey was confident this year’s fundraiser would do so again.

‘This year we have introduced a quiet hour for those who might be on the autism spectrum and don’t like loud music and flashing lights,’ he said.

Jan Aslett, whose son, Jack Birch, 20, attended Le Murier up to last year, said the quiet hour was a good idea.

‘Although Jack loves music he finds it hard to concentrate when there are too many distractions around,’ she said.

‘A quiet hour is very useful for that as he is also quite anxious. Things tend to be hurried usually but he can do this at his own pace.’

Kobi Nagy, 10, who goes to Amherst, was climbing with The National Autistic Society.

‘I like climbing and I’ve climbed this wall many times,’ he said. Kobi said he tried to do it quicker each time and he was confident he had set another personal best. He hoped to have raised between £100 and £150 for the cause.

Aidan Jennings, 14, is a current student at Le Murier.

Mother, Rachael Jennings, said her son was addicted to climbing.

‘He climbed the wall with the school on Thursday and he wanted to come back today so myself and other family members have come to watch him,’ she said.

Aidan said he liked to climb the more difficult parts of the wall and he hoped to raise about £80.

Mr Dovey said he was grateful to corporate sponsor Investec who had agreed to underwrite costs. These included ropes which had to be replaced before and after the challenge due to the heavy usage.

They also supported the 10-year rolling replacement of harnesses and helmets. Staff from the bank also assisted with belaying [holding the ropes], helping climbers put their kit on, and counting money.

He said monies raised would be put towards 2020 trips which enabled better planning.

‘We have a year group doing their silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards in 2020 which will mean two trips off-island for them,’ he said.

Teams taking part included corporate, The Fire and Rescue Service, families, and States members.

Thursday and Friday night were predominately youth groups and schools and St Sampson’s High School gave us great support this year.

The objective is for the teams to collectively climb the height of Mount Everest – 8,848 metres over three days.