Your part: Join the Everest team. We are looking for team members who are willing to set themselves a challenge to knock off part of the 8848m of Everest. And seeing as all good expeditions involve getting down the mountain too we are in fact going to conquer 17,696m. To make things a bit more challenging we are going to undertake this as a mammoth effort on just one day: Saturday Dec 12th 2015.

So get on: Pick, Plug and Generate.

Pick- Choose a challenge that involves climbing some vertical distance (under your own steam, no cars!) It could be anything from a carpark building to a mountain. Let us know about it on here and we’ll combine our vertical distances and conquer!

Plug- Get your mates onboard. Obviously doing some vertical distance is cool but in order to turn our sweat and aches into something worthwhile getting sponsors is vital. Here’s the link to the fundraising page for your support crew https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/youthadvocates2015 (there’s even space for them to write you a wee encouraging message!)

Generate- Watts produced by you + $ from sponsors = Watts for Anandaban

If you’re not all that keen on a climb the support team is just as vital. Feel free to pick a member of the Everest team and support them in their adventures.

The rundown: I was part of a group of students who got the privilege of spending some time at Anandaban Hospital, 16km from Kathmandu. The hospital is focused on the treatment and rehab of people living with leprosy and does incredible work, giving hope and a future to a still highly stigmatised group of people. They’ve been playing a vital role in the earthquake efforts and need a reliable source of power, something the national grid doesn’t offer. So our team of Leprosy Mission youth advocates have been fundraising over this year towards a $25,000 generator. We are on the home straight with $22,000 but need a final push to the summit. This is it folks. Please join us in conquering. Looking forward to hearing of your vertical adventures! Here’s the link to the leprosy mission website if you want more info on what they do: http://leprosymission.org.nz/