Norfolk friends to climb Mount Everest
Matthew SparkesThree friends will leave the Norfolk flatlands behind to climb the slopes of Mount Everest and raise more than �25,000 for local charities.Philip Search, Ian Blake and Richard Moore will climb to nearly 20,000ft in the Himalayas over three weeks to reach the base camp of the world's highest mountain.Matthew Sparkes
Three friends will leave the Norfolk flatlands behind to climb the slopes of Mount Everest and raise more than �25,000 for local charities.
Philip Search, Ian Blake and Richard Moore will climb to nearly 20,000ft in the Himalayas over three weeks to reach the base camp of the world's highest mountain.
Mr Search, 42, who runs the Broad House Hotel in Wroxham, said: 'Living in a county as beautiful, though flat, as Norfolk, climbing a mountain seemed an ideal charity challenge for us.
'Tackling part of the highest and most famous mountain in the world began as a bit of a joke, until we realised we could indeed trek to Base Camp,' he said.
'It will involve strenuous high-altitude walks of four to eight hours a day but will be well worth it. Everest is one of the world's most awe-inspiring sights and one of the natural wonders of the world - a perfect place for our fund-raising adventure.'
Joining Mr Search will be Mr Moore, 43, a business coach from Norwich and Mr Blake, 44, an electrician from Coltishall.
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They will leave on November 12 and the trip is expected to take three weeks.
Because there are no mountains in Norfolk to train on, the trio have been running at Mousehold Heath in the city, cycling and going to the gym.
They hope to raise �25,000 to be divided between the East Anglian Air Ambulance, East Anglia's Children's Hospices and the Big C.
The fund-raisers have been given a demonstration by three members of Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service's Urban Search and Rescue team on Mousehold Heath, who showed them their safety equipment and harnesses high above the city centre near Norwich prison.
Clothing and equipment to keep the charity climbers safe and warm is being sponsored by the Cotswold Outdoor shop on Theatre Street.
The men also took part in a recent 50-mile Cycle For Life event in Beccles and the Norwich 100 ride to raise funds.
To support the fund-raising efforts visit www.justgiving.com/ChallengeEverest2010 or e-mail philip@broadhousehotel.co.uk.
