Nigel has two big mountains to climb
Fundraiser to overcome flying fear before he takes on Everest challenge
A BUSINESSMAN from Hayes faces a double challenge when he sets out to raise money in memory of his father.
Nigel Laughton aims to trek to Mount Everest base camp, raising at least £1,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society in the process.
But first he has to get there – and a lifelong fear of flying will not be soothed by the three flights required to get to Lukla, the starting point of the hike.
The online dictionary Wikipedia describes the airport as follows: “Lukla Airport has a very short and steep airstrip, often compounded by hazardous weather, resulting in several fatal accidents.
“It has been called the most dangerous airport in the world.”
With wife, Debbie, and children Amy, 24, Sean, 16, Becky, 15, and nineyear-old Jack all cheering him on, Nigel is in serious training.
His dad died in September 2014, having suffered with Alzheimer’s, and Nigel has paid for the Everest trip himself to maximise raised.
He said: “Originally I was going to do [the trip] anyway, but when my dad finally passed away, I decided to raise a bit of cash for the society.”
So far Nigel has got pledges worth £315, and he hopes to turn that into at
the
amount least £1,000 by October, when he heads for Nepal.
Nigel said if he successfully completes the ascent to 17,500ft and returns safely, he might just skip the return flights and come home on foot.
To sponsor Nigel, go to w w w. j u s t g i v i n g . c o m / Everestchallenge2015/.