Everest – The EPIC Challenge

As a professional copywriter, sure, I want to get paid so I stay in business. But there are times when money is just NOT the issue.

Let me tell you about on of those times…

First, I’d like you to meet Alex.

He’s planning to reach the summit of the planet’s highest mountain, Everest, in 2015.

Nothing new about that, you might say.

After all, more than 4,000 people are reported to have made the top of the world. All 8,848 metres of it (or 29,029 feet in old money).

Well, you need to know a few things about Alex…

He’s just 19 years old.

He’s overcome ill health, childhood bullying, anxiety, depression, low self-confidence and epilepsy.

He’s not just attempting Everest for himself.

He’s raising money for the Sherpas who make safe mountaineering in the Himalayas possible (danger abounds every year – earlier in 2014 an avalanche killed 12 sherpas).

He’s raised money for cancer charities and is an official Ambassador for the REACT (Red Endangered Animal Connection Trust) charity.

And he’s doing a pretty good job at generating sponsorship and donations to allow him to have a crack at Everest.

Alex is securing the core fundraising and sponsorship through a series of challenges he’s called the EPIC 7.

As I write, the teenager from Cheshire has just completed EPIC challenge #3 and EPIC challenge #4

Number 3 was a bike ride from Chester in North West England to Chamonix in the French Alps, a distance of 878 miles cycled in just over a week.

With barely a break, Alex embarked on the fourth challenge…

Climbing the Domhutte mountain (known as “The Dom”).

At 4,545 metres above sea level, it may not as high as Mont Blanc, but it involves the highest vertical ascent in the whole of the Alpine range. It’s a more technical climb (if you’re into mountains, it’s like K2 is a more technically challenging climb than Everest).

Despite the effects of his gruelling cycle ride, Alex made it to the summit of the Dom. You can read about it and see the video here.

And the connection between Alex and me?

I offered to help him with his marketing and fundraising efforts.

I put him in touch with people I knew who might be able to offer assistance (or a donation, or both).

I re-wrote a press release for him – which gave him some FREE local media coverage.

I continue to help him however I can.

No charge.

It’s just great to be able to do some small things for somebody who is doing something amazingly BIG.

Congratulations, Alex.

Look forward to seeing you complete EPIC challenges 5, 6 and 7 and watching the pictures of you on top of Everest next year.

The best of luck to you.

Gary

P.S. If you’d like to support Alex and his fundraising efforts, please visit his website and get in touch.

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