Mount Everest Challenge

Success in the Mount Everest Challenge

admin — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 16:44:19 +0000

On 20th – 21st June 2009, 10 young people achieved their goal to climb a 29 foot pole 1000 times inside 24 hours – the equivalent height of Mount Everest at Keynes Country Park near Cirencester. In fact, they smashed their target, achieving the "summit" in less than 15 1/2 hours, and continued to 1168 climbs.

The team was drawn mainly from participants on Inner Flame’s first residential course. So keen was Helen (13) to complete the 1000^th ascent that she undertook 30 consecutive climbs to achieve that! Jamie Wreathall (the youngest member of the team at the age of 12) set the record for the most number of climbs (200) and highest number of consecutive climbs (44).

This was a real team effort of different abilities (none are regular climbers) and was a huge challenge. They coped with it admirably.

At the same time, members of the public and supporters supported the event by having a go themselves. The weekend produced many memorable moments as people (some as young as 5) conquered their fear of heights.

Further details can be found in the Wiltshire & Gloucestershire Standard, here: http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=113006105395&h=ZIGm0&u=KWhn7&ref=mf

Last chance to register

admin — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 08:21:11 +0000

If you’re planning to take part in the Mount Everest Challenge, there’s still time to register (by end of Thursday latest, please!), which means we can reserve you a time to climb. Click here to sign up as an individual: www.mounteverestchallenge.com/sign-up.

Recognising that it may not be practical for you to seek sponsorship at this late stage, you’ll be very welcome to take part in return for a voluntary donation to sponsor our team of 10 young people in their endurance climb. You can do this online when registering, by visiting www.everyclick.com/innerflame, or pay on the day.

Do whatever you can – 5 climbs, 1 climb, or just 10 feet – as long as it’s higher than you thought you could climb, you’ll get a sense of achievement! You don’t have to do this…

Pirates of the Water Park?

admin — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 08:27:01 +0000

Following our recent team training, David Wreathall and two of Inner Flame’s team returned to Head 4 Heights on 8th June, this time dressed as "Pirates of the Water Park" – with thanks to the Giant Party Shop in Swindon.

Melvin Bird and Lester Pearce, both volunteers with Inner Flame, were also joined by Matt Hammersley from Head4Heights, who will be supervising the climb and supporting the team of young climbers.

You’re welcome to take part in the Mount Everest Challenge in fancy dress, but please note that some health and safety restrictions will apply – you must remove all jewellery and other items such as watches, and any loose clothing may need to be tied up. We recommend the Giant Party Shop – click on this picture to visit their site:

Successful training day for the Everest Challenge

admin — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 09:20:33 +0000

YOUNG CLIMBERS READY FOR A CHALLENGE

While most people were out enjoying the sunshine this weekend, a group of young people were practising for their ‘Mount Everest Challenge’ on the 20^th-21^st June.

The challenge is to climb a 29ft pole 1000 times in 24 hours, in relay (the height of Mount Everest!). Ten young people will attempt this in a continuous relay, led by Glenn Bridges (19), co-founder of local charity, Inner Flame.

The event will raise funds to enable young people to attend “Fire Me Up!”, Inner Flame’s new 4 day residential course. All the participants from a recent pilot course have signed up for the climb; several of them have a fear of heights, and none are regular climbers. They have issued a challenge to the people of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire to see who can reach the peak first! They hope to be joined by up to 200 individuals, families and teams from companies, gyms, and sports clubs.

David Wreathall, said today: “We are looking forward to getting as many people involved as possible. It’s going to be a fun weekend, with climbing going on throughout the 24 hours. So if you’re a night owl, come and join us for the night climb, or alternatively come along to enjoy the day with friends and family.”

Spaces are still available for individuals and teams. If you or your friends are up for a challenge, just give the co-ordinators FAB! a call on 0844 415 4880 for more details and an entry form, or visit www.mounteverestchallenge.com.

Additional information

The average age of the endurance team is 18; the youngest (at just 12) is Jamie Wreathall, son of Inner Flame’s other co-founder.

Inner Flame was founded by David Wreathall and Glenn Bridges to inspire young people from Wiltshire to reach their full potential.

For more information about Inner Flame, visit www.innerflame.org.uk or call David Wreathall on 0771 896 8609 or Glenn Bridges on 0751 714 7454.

Press release for launch

admin — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:54:41 +0000

LAUNCH OF THE “MOUNT EVEREST CHALLENGE”

CHALLENGE YOUR FITNESS, CONQUER YOUR FEAR OF HEIGHTS

Wiltshire charity, Inner Flame, has launched an exciting new event, the “Mount Everest Challenge”. This involves up to 200 local people climbing a 29ft pole in relay, 1000 times in 24 hours – the height of Mount Everest. It is happening on the weekend of 20-21 June at Head 4 Heights in the Cotswold Water Park (between Swindon and Cirencester).

As part of the event, an “endurance” team of 10 young people (half of them from Inner Flame’s first course) will attempt to set a new world record, climbing continuously as far as they can in 24 hours.

Inner Flame is a new charity to inspire young people to reach their full potential. Having recently run its first residential course, which was a great success, Inner Flame hopes to give the opportunity to 20 more local teenagers at the end of August. This event is to fundraise to give them this opportunity.

The Mount Everest Challenge is suitable for individuals, families and company teams, and registration is now open. David Wreathall, co-founder of Inner Flame said: “We want everyone to have a go. My father climbed these poles at the age of 70, and my son, who is 12, is the youngest member of the endurance team”. The climb is challenging but achievable.

Two local record-breaking climbers offered their support for the event.

Jane Meyer who, at 21, set a record as the youngest Briton to climb Everest said “"Having stood on top of Mt Everest, I can vouch for the dedication, perseverance and teamwork that goes into making an expedition a success. This is the same for all our goals in life, whether it is a mental, physical or metaphorical mountain we are aiming for, those 3 attributes will put you in the best position to succeed. I wish all those taking part in the Mount Everest Challenge the very best of luck – their success will be an incredible achievement"
Rod Baber, Managing Director of Head 4 Heights, summitted Everest to make the world highest landbased telephone call at 8846m. He said “Inner flame is a real inspriration for young people. They are a very worthy cause which Head 4 Heights believe in, and are very happy to support”.

The organisers are keen to hear from anyone with a fear of heights. Experts in building confidence and overcoming fear will be on hand at the event. “No-one will be forced to do more than they want to, but we hope that everyone will achieve more than they thought they could” said Glenn Bridges (19, Inner Flame’s other co-founder, and leader of the endurance team).

The message from the organisers is: “Are you up for it”?

For more information about the Mount Everest Challenge, or to register your team, call organisers FAB! on 0844 415 4880 or visit www.mounteverestchallenge.com.

Additional information:

· The event runs from 11am Saturday 20^th – 11am Sunday 21^st June

· For information about Inner Flame, visit www.innerflame.org.uk or call 0845 459 3002.

· David Wreathall and Glenn Bridges are available for live interview

Scared of heights?

admin — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:54:24 +0000

If so, that’s a GOOD thing!

Fear of heights is a healthy and natural thing. It stops (most of) us jumping off tall buildings and hurting ourselves.

Overcoming a fear of heights is also what gives you the "buzz" when you climb, abseil, parachute etc. Without it, the Mount Everest Challenge would be less exciting.

If you’re scared of heights, you might find any of these excuses handy: "I can’t", "I couldn’t". You might even believe yourself. Go on, tempt us - say it!

We’ll have qualified coaches at the event who specialise in building confidence and overcoming fears and phobias. If you let us know in advance, we’ll plan a few minutes of 1-1 time with you, to help to overcome that fear.

How would you feel going through life carrying a fear around, which you just MIGHT be able to conquer in a half an hour?
How will you feel if you prove that you CAN master your fear. Admire the view from 29ft up. Listen to those cheers from your supporters now!

The best bit of all? Seeing the look on the faces of friends and family who said that you COULDN’T do it (even if they secretly hoped that you would).

Head 4 Heights works strictly on the basis of "challenge by choice", which means you won’t be forced to do anything. As long as you achieve more than you thought you could, we’ll all be happy.

We hope you rise to the challenge.

Welcome to Triathletes and spectators

admin — Mon, 18 May 2009 12:52:58 +0000

On Sunday 21st June, as we near the end of our 24 hours, there’s a triathlon happening at the same venue, which will add to the buzz of the day. See http://www.votwo.co.uk/votwo2007/events-and-adventure/race_view.php?i=77

If you’re here watching the triathlon and fancy a challenge of your own (or even if you’ve finished the triathlon and aren’t quite tired enough yet!), please enquire about making a climb (in return for a small donation to Inner Flame). This is subject to availability, as our sponsored climbers will take preference.

And, of course, any Mount Everest Challenge participants who fancy a quick swim/bike/run after their climb, go online to register for the triathlon! We’d join in ourselves, but I suspect that we might not be in a peak state after climbing all night…

Launch Event – 20th April

admin — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 08:18:33 +0000

Our launch event for Inner Flame and for the Mount Everest Challenge was on Monday 20th April at 6pm at Menzies Hotel in Swindon.

We were joined by Rachel Elnaugh (who built Red Letter Days from scratch, and was an original dragon in Dragons Den) and Christine Hamilton (you’ll remember Christine from I’m a Celebrity…). We’d like to thank them for showing their support for young people, and for Menzies, our sponsors for the evening.