As many as 1,000 face the Everest Challenge
This year’s Everest Challenge scaled great heights, with a total of more than £17,000 raised for Le Murier School.
The charitable climbing event, held on the climbing wall at Le Murier Schools, came to a close on Saturday afternoon after three days of action, with about 50 climbers of all ages, in teams of four to eight, taking part in the final session.
Le Murier assistant head teacher Chris Harvey, who helped organise the event, said he was amazed by the turnout.
‘It’s hard to tell exactly how many people we’ve had over the three days, but I think it could be more than 1,000. It’s certainly hundreds.
‘Our youngest climber was three while our oldest was probably in their seventies.’
He said that the quickest ascent of the wall clocked in at 11.2 seconds.
‘But we’ve had a real mixed bag of abilities as well which is always great to see.’
He said that the money raised would go towards supporting Le Murier students in travelling off-island for activities.
‘It’s all part of their personal development and about giving them more independence, and with this money we will be able to do so much for them.’
Joe Raleigh was part of a team of friends known as All Rock No Climb.
While it was his first time climbing, he said it had been exciting to try.
‘I thought it would be easier, but it’s difficult to know where to put your feet and you grip the wall strangely at times, so your hand feels like it’s in a constant claw shape.’
Annabel Grafton, 10, and Katherine Holroyd, 11, were taking part in the event as part of the Up Climbing team.
‘I’ve done a lot of climbing so I found this quite easy,’ Annabel said.
‘It’s good to practice more as we are going to England for some competitions in the summer.’
Katherine said she had also climbed on the first day of the event.
‘I found it fine, I was really excited to do it as this was my first time taking part in the Everest Challenge.’
