Fundraisers encouraged to reach new heights

Wednesday 29 August 2018

A local charity is encouraging islanders to reach new heights this time next month in an attempt to raise money to help support retired Ghurkas.

The climbathon – organised by the Ghurka Welfare Trust Jersey – involves individuals or teams making multiple ‘ascents’ of Gorey Castle.

The idea is for participants to get sponsorship and for entrants to try and climb the steps from the very base of the castle gate to the top tower where the flag poles are as many times as possible.

Three ascents are the equivalent of climbing to the top of Les Platons; 18 the equivalent of Scafell – England’s highest peak; 20 the equivalent of Snowden – Wales’ highest peak; and 25 the equivalent of Ben Nevis – Scotland and the United Kingdom’s highest peak.

Teams of seven – ‘the racing snakes’ - are being encouraged to dream even higher. If each team member makes 11 trips the team will have reached the equivalent of Mount Kinabalu – Malaysia’s highest mountain. If they can manage 16 they’ll have summited Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest mountain. And, if they really want to top out – 24 trips per team member – will see them on peak form having reached the summit of Mount Everest.

The climbathon is being staged over a two-day period – 29 and 30 September – from 07:00 until 18:00. Running will only be allowed from 07:00 until 10:00, which is when the ‘racing snakes’ will have their chance to see if they can make it to the ‘roof of the world’.

Everest straddles the border between Tibet and Nepal – the home of the Gurkhas.

The Gurkha Welfare Trust Jersey has supported Nepal’s recovery after two horrific earthquakes in April 2015. It immediately donated £50,000 and subsequently, in conjunction with Jersey Overseas Aid, replaced two schools and built a medical centre. Current funding is needed to install a piped-water facility in a remote village.

Video: Highlights of a previous climbathon.

In the past one of the great supporters of the climbathon has been 97-year-old Occupation hero Bob Le Sueur. This year though he’s not going to be able to take part so organisers are looking for seven volunteers to make up ‘Bob’s Team’ to tackle Everest in his honour.

All participants will receive a Gurkha wristband plus a certificate of achievements signed by the Lieutenant Governor. Statuettes of a Gurkha soldier will be presented to the winners of the ‘Racing Snakes’, and the best team of ‘Walkers’. There’ll also be statuettes for the most ‘Generous Donor(s)’ and the most ‘Dedicated Group of Helpers’.