Personal challenge turned fundraising event storms target to raise vital funds for a military charity
16 October 2013
A Managing Consultant from the recruitment industry hikes up to Everest Base Camp and exceeds target by over 50% to raise in excess of £1600 for London based Blesma, The Limbless Veterans.
Charlie Walford, from Somerset, was hoping to get to Everest Base Camp ‘for fun’ until he was introduced to the charity by an old friend and Activities Manager at Blesma David Coulton. He raised a total of £1,626.81.
The 31 year old, who has just moved back to the UK from Singapore, made the nine day journey from the infamous Lukla Airport in eastern Nepal to the Everest Base Camp south of the mountain which is just over 17,500ft above sea level, accompanied by a Nepalese guide.
On the way down, Charlie and his guide were challenged by local Sherpas to make a stage of the decent, which typically takes two days in half the time, and they made it down in nine hours, less than a quarter of the usual time!
Relatively new to mountaineering, Charlie has climbed Mount Kinabalu, south west Asia’s highest peak in the past.
Charlie said: “Originally the expedition was only designed to be a personal challenge, but after learning of the great work Blesma do I knew it was a charity I wanted to raise money for and something friends would get behind. I have a lot of friends who support the services and are ex-service personnel themselves so I thought it was only right we give a little back. I love a challenge and base camp has been something I'd wanted to do for years, so it was excellent to be able to support Blesma at the same time. Bring on the next challenge!”
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is the national charity for all limbless service men and women, their widows and dependants. It was formed in the years following the First World War and became a national charity in 1932.
To support Charlie raise money for Blesma, visit http://www.justgiving.com/Charlie-The-Somerset-Sherpa-Walford
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor
Hi-res images can be downloaded from the link below
Charlie at Everest Base Camp:
/media/75859/Charlie-Walford-landscape.jpg
About Blesma, The Limbless Veterans
Blesma, The Limbless Veterans is the national charity for all limbless serving and ex service men and women, their widows and dependants. It is a membership organisation which helps wounded service men and women rebuild their lives by providing rehabilitation activities and welfare support. Their membership includes those who have lost the use of a limb, an eye or the sight of an eye.
Blesma was formed in the years following the First World War and became a national charity in 1932. Blesma today has over 4000 Members and widows. The membership consists of men and women who have served during the Second World War and the many subsequent conflicts and peacekeeping operations since, including the Falklands, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Follow us on Twitter @BLESMA
For further information on Blesma, The Limbless Veterans, contact
Bryony Stevens, Media and Communications Assistant
T: 020 8590 1124
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