Essential Feature
EPIC7 Project
Intrepid Cheshire teenager returns
stronger for Mount Everest summit
attempt
Two prominent Cheshire organisations
have joined forces to support an
inspirational local mountaineer set to
climb to the summit of Mount Everest
this Spring.
Alex Staniforth, who lives in Kelsall, is
to embark on the two-month expedition
to the Himalayas in Nepal on the 28th
March to attempt to reach the summit
of Mount Everest, the world’s highest
mountain at 8,850m (29,035ft) high, the
second youngest British man to do so.
Northwich-based charity Active Cheshire
and Warrington-based The Westgrove
Group who specialise in bespoke
cleaning and security services are joint
head sponsors of the 19 year old, who
dedicates his life to astounding physical
challenges and inspiring others to
overcome adversity.
Last year Alex had to abandon his first
attempt on the 8,850m (29,035ft)
mountain following a major avalanche
on April the 18th which killed sixteen
climbing Sherpas whilst Alex was at base
camp.
Since the tragedy, Alex has come back
stronger and fundraised for the avalanche
victims with his EPIC7 project, completing
a series of six unprecedented endurance
challenges. These include cycling 880
miles solo from Chester to Chamonix in
just eight days and the Three Peaks Cycle
62
challenge,
cycling 440 miles and climbing the
three highest mountains in the UK, the
youngest ever to complete it solo in just
four days.
He has the backing of adventure legends
Bear Grylls and Sir Ranulph Fiennes, and
is now the Westgrove Group’s Young
Ambassador and Active Cheshire’s Active
Lifestyle Ambassador.
The
motivational
speaker
and
fundraiser will aim to raise £30,000 for
adversity home and away, supporting
the Himalayan Trust UK which helps
meet the basics needs of the mountain
people in Nepal, and the Alex Staniforth
Adversity Fund, which will support local
people in Cheshire and Warrington with
mental health, bullying and disability
issues to live a healthy and active lifestyle.
Alex is no stranger to adversity, having
endured Epilepsy, mental illness, speech
problems and bullying. He will use his
new roles to engage and inspire people
to reach their goals and develop healthy
active habits.
He said: “I’m extremely grateful to
be backed by two such prominent
organisations. Whilst not everyone has
aspirations to climb a mountain, we
all have our own Everest and through
Active Cheshire and Westgrove, and as a
Cheshire resident myself, I am looking
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