MESSAGES of love and hope were shared for Nick Jones and his team as they have now embarked on their Mount Everest challenge, raising money for bereaved children.
Friends and family of climbers Nick Jones, Sean Mitchell, Julian Lippiatt, Alec Balchin, Kerry Wilson, Sam Short and Stewart Costello joined together for an emotional evening to wish the team luck as they flew to Nepal on Friday 19th October after months of planning and preparation.
The team are climbing for Nick Jones, who has malignant hypertension, raising money for his foundation, The Nick Jones Foundation for Bereaved Children. The team is aiming to climb to Base Camp on Mt. Everest, reaching heights of 5,364 metres – over 17,500 feet – with Nick wanting to push the team on further to reach Island Peak at 6,189m – or over 20,000 ft and nearly four miles high.
After speaking to his doctors, Nick knows that the climb may take a toll on his health. At the group’s leaving party Nick said, “Do you know, I haven’t even packed yet, there is still so much to do but I had a reality check this morning that I may not survive this.
“I’ve spoken to my children, pulled them aside and told them that this could be it and I had to come to terms with that, but it’s better than sitting on the sofa this whole time. I asked them if they were still okay with me doing it, and they’re behind me all the way. I had to set the bar high because it had to be, for my kids. When I’m gone they will still continue to push the foundation alongside the committee.
“I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has come to the leaving party, especially the committee who have done so much in such a small amount of time. Also to the wives of all of my team who are being put through hell whilst we conquer this challenge.
“Right now, it is what it is but I won’t go down without a fight.”
Throughout the night there was live music, food and a blessing ceremony by Nick’s co-worker Joanna Price to give the team positive spirit before they take on the challenges that awaits.
People also stepped up to the microphone to give their messages of hope and love to Nick and the team and also to the families who will be awaiting their return, with emotions running high. Speakers included climbers Kerry Wilson and Julian Lippiatt who vowed to work together as a team to see everyone safely return.
The under-16s youth football team, who Nick coaches, spoke words of thanks for his time and wished him luck.
The team now face a 22-day trek. Sam Short, one of the climbers told White Horse News, “I’ve never done anything like this before, but feel prepared. Ben Nevis was as close to Everest as I have trained but during that, the team had such high spirits which was key to keeping everyone going, so we hope to use that on Everest.”
The foundation is currently on the way to receiving charity status, with the committee working hard to organise more fundraising events after the success of their ‘Night to Remember’, bingo evenings and recently a ‘Back to the 80s’ themed disco with special guest, Martin Kemp.
To support the team and to continue the growth of the foundation, you can donate via: https://www.gofundme.com/NickJonesFoundation. For updates from the team, search ‘Nick Jones Foundation For Bereaved Children’ on Facebook.
