Mount Everest Challenge

Press release and details

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:38:24 +0000

If you are able to help us publicise the achievement of young people and other participants in the 2010 Mount Everest Challenge, we’d love to see you on Saturday. Photographers will be welcome, but for security and child safeguarding reasons at PGL, you must book in with us in advance. For the same reason, we ask that if yoou’re publicising the event in advance, you don’t invite members of the public to turn up and support.

Here is a copy of our press release:

Climbing Everest – in Wiltshire

(Inner Flame inspires young people to even greater heights)

40 local people are preparing for a huge challenge this Saturday (4^th September). In teams of 8, they will attempt to scale a 44 foot wall, 660 times – the height of Mount Everest!

It’s all to support Inner Flame, a Swindon-based charity which inspires and motivates young people to reach their potential. Half of the climbers are young people who have taken part in Inner Flame’s courses, and are raising sponsorship to pay it forward to help future participants.

There are also teams from three local employers – Intel, Nationwide and PGL. PGL, the UK’s leading provider of activity holidays and school trips, kindly offered to sponsor and host this event at their impressive new centre in Liddington, just outside Swindon.

The Mount Everest Challenge is an annual event. In 2009, a team of young people aged 12 to 25 achieved the climb in just 15½ hours, smashing the target of completing it within a day. “This year’s event is even bigger and better, with 5 teams competing rather than one, and with a climb that is 50% higher” said David Wreathall, co-founder of the charity. “It’s a big challenge and it’s by no means certain that every team will be able to achieve the target. Several participants are climbing as a way to conquer their fear of heights.”

Pictured are some of the participants training for the event.

The Mount Everest Challenge is fully booked for 2010, but enquiries are being taken for 2011. Details can be found at www.mounteverestchallenge.com (or Google “Mount Everest Challenge”), where you can also sponsor the participants. Any employers who are interested in a challenging tailor-made team-building event to raise money for local young people should visit our website www.innerflame.org.uk and call David Wreathall on 0771 896 8609.

(We can supply this picture in original format, taken from a training session for the event on Wednesday 26^th, where over 20 climbers took part despite torrential rain)

Further Information

Inner Flame

Inner Flame was established in 2008 by co-founders David Wreathall and Glenn Bridges, to inspire young people to reach their potential.

Inner Flame runs an intensive four-day residential course (“Fire Me Up!”) which helps participants to develop their self esteem, build confidence, find a clearer sense of direction, and take action towards their goals. Nearly 50 young people have benefitted to date, and many continue to be involved as volunteers. Participants come from across Wiltshire and Gloucestershire, with half being from Swindon.

We have a series of short profiles / stories of course participants which can be adapted for a series of articles – please enquire. Interviews can be arranged.

Website: www.innerflame.org.uk

Contact: David Wreathall 0771 896 8609 david@innerflame.org.uk

PGL

PGL is the UK’s leading provider of school trips and children’s adventure holidays – offering outdoor education and adventures of a lifetime to children since 1957.

PGL has been providing activity breaks at their outdoor activity centres for young people for more than 50 years. Friendly, highly trained staff ensure that there is never a dull moment – while you have the chance to try out a huge range of quality outdoor adventure as part of Multi-Activity, Leadership, Teambuilding, Dance, and even ASDAN accredited courses.

PGL’s outdoor centre at Liddington (near Swindon) is outstanding. Set in 150 acres of grounds in a peaceful, rural setting, while still being just minutes from the M4, it offers a full range of facilities – two lakes for canoeing and raftbuilding, large indoor spaces, climbing towers and Jacobs Ladders to meeting rooms and a cinema. High quality accommodation is in 4-bedded en suite rooms – with singles for leaders.

www.pgl.co.uk/youthliddington 0333 321 2130

Details for Saturday

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:01:49 +0000

A big thank you to everyone who is taking part on Saturday to raise funds to inspire and motivate young people. This is a bit of last-minute information in case of need:

"Climb Time" starts at 7am, so you will need to arrive by 6:30am to kit up and for a briefing. Please park in the main car park at PGL and make your way to the climbing wall.
Young leaders who are being picked up at Swindon station should be there at 6am to meet me (David). I’ll be in the short term car park in a big White "Cartmell Community" minibus.
Kit: you should have received a suggested kit list. If not, give me a shout at david@innerflame.org.uk. The most important bits are practical climbing gear, allowing for wet weather (i.e. waterproofs, change of clothes, towel), something to drink and energy bars / other snacks to keep you going between meal times and especially in case the climbing goes on into the night!
If you haven’t sent in your registration, medical and parental consent forms, you must do so immediately, unless (for corporate teams) you’ve arranged with Amy to bring these on the day.
Telephone numbers on the day, in case of need: David Wreathall 0771 896 8609 (first point of contact), Inner Flame team 0753 147 3482. You can also try Glenn on 07857 939151 but he won’t answer if he’s climbing!
Last but not least, remember to put in a final burst on the fundraising front. There’s nothing like the immediacy of "guess what I’m doing this Saturday" to gain maximum interest.

This is a tough challenge. I wish you every success!

David

How to raise sponsorship

admin — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 14:02:38 +0000

Thank you for signing up for the 2010 Mount Everest Challenge, and for committing to raise sponsorship for Inner Flame. The best way to do this is online – it saves you a huge amount of time chasing sponsors after the event, and also means we can automatically reclaim Gift Aid where appropriate, boosting the amount raised by up to 25%.

Setting up an online sponsorship page will take about 10 minutes, and will save you a lot of time later on. Just follow these simple instructions.

1. To create your own page in Everyclick, start by following this link

https://fundraisers.everyclick.com/signup

2. Fill in all the details and put “I am joining as: an individual”.

3. Fill in some more details then click “Sign Up”.

4. You will then receive an email from Everyclick where you will have to click on a link to activate.

5. After clicking the link you will be taken to a page called My Everyclick. Where it says “Fundraising For”, click edit.

6. Once on the next page there will be a pink button that says Start Fundraising. DO NOT click it. Underneath that button is a small label that says “Select a different charity.” Click that.

7. Write “inner flame” into the box that appears then search.

8. You will be given a list of options. The Inner Flame page is the one with the logo by the side. Click on it.

9. Now you will be on a page which has “Inner Flame” at the top. Next to where it says Raise Money select Collect Sponsorship then “Select This Charity”.

10.Scroll down to the bottom of your settings page and save your settings.

11.In a dotted blue box that says “My Appeal”, click the link “create”.

12.The title of your appeal is Mount Everest Challenge and you can use this description: Part of a team of 8 climbing in relay up a 44ft wall, 660 times in a day – the height of Mount Everest!

13.Now set today’s date as when you start collecting and the end date at the end of December. Then put in your target amount (at least £75 please, and the sky’s the limit!). Now save your appeal.

14.Click on the My Toolkit tab to check your URL and include it in your email signature.

Of course, seeking personal sponsorship is not the only way to fundraise, and if you prefer, we can give you some other ideas, like running events, selling off unwanted items, cake sales…

However you raise money, you will be helping to inspire and motivate young people on our next course*. Thank you!

Inner Flame

* If you raise at least £345, this will cover the whole cost of a place on our residential course. If you wish, you can set this aside as a gift for someone you know.

2010 teams confirmed

admin — Sun, 15 Aug 2010 13:32:34 +0000

We’re delighted to announce that we now have four teams booked for the Mount Everest Challenge:

One from Nationwide
One with PGL instructors
Two teams of young leaders and volunteers from Inner Flame

While this means that the event is now officially fully booked, if another corporate team is able to join us at this late stage, PGL have confirmed that they can accommodate this, subject to an extra charge for additional instructors and training sessions. If any individuals are keen to join a team as a reserve or an extra team member, please contact david@innerflame.org.uk as soon as possible. Registration is just £10 (which includes at least one training session plus all equipment and support and 3 meals on the day!), and we ask you to commit to a minimum sponsorship amount. For young people (<25), this is £75 per person.

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.