Best paw forward for Everest Challenge
Rain, wind and squally hail were not enough to put off determined walkers taking part in the Val des Terres Everest Challenge yesterday.
The Everest Challenge, sponsored by We Move As One, is encouraging islanders to get active and raise money for Les Bourgs Hospice.
More than 500 people are currently taking part in completing the challenge solo and in teams, with the aim of completing 115 laps of the Val des Terres this month.
If they are successful, they will have managed to cover the same elevation as Mount Everest.
‘I’m very proud of how our Guernsey community come together for local causes,’ said organiser Susan Farnham.
Already more than £10,000 has been raised for Les Bourgs and the hospice is honoured to have been chosen as this year’s challenge charity.
‘The challenge encapsulates so many things that resonate with us,’ said Les Bourgs fundraising administrator Liz Stonebridge.
‘From encouraging people to lead a more active lifestyle to the importance of connecting with family, friends and colleagues.’
She is taking on the challenge and a team of Les Bourgs nurses have signed up.
Another islander who is getting involved is Sarah Warr, who is in a team with her sister and completing four laps a day.
‘I’m loving it, meeting people and having a chat,’ she said.
After completing the challenge two years ago she has come back to raise money for a wonderful cause. As a womble, she has also been picking up litter as she goes along.
Agnes Krogzema-Asghar, with her Maltese dog Milu, is taking part for the first time as part of a team. She has so far done 12 laps, about half of them with Milu.
‘It’s amazing, a good push in January,’ she said.
Lily Inniss completed her first lap yesterday in the hail, but said it was still a great way to start off the new year.
She is part of a team of five doing 23 laps each.
‘It’s a way to raise money and get people moving and active,’ she said.
Many businesses and companies are taking part, creating work teams to take on the challenge.
Though Sue Robinson has once again taken on the challenge alone. She said it took her around 22 minutes to complete each lap.
‘It’s a good cause and it burns off calories,’ she said.
Repeating the same circuit continuously can become monotonous but listening to music or a podcast can help to push through the challenge.
‘It becomes addictive, just adding one more circuit,’ said Ms Farnham.
To join the Val des Terres Everest challenge visit www.justgiving.com/team/valdesterreseverestchallenge2025.
