Back to page

Climbing my own Everest - help me raise money to prevent suicide

  • Challenge Complete!

      7 April 2021
    Main image

    I am stoked to say that I managed to successfully complete my challenge of 31,000 vertical meters over 31 days in March.

    In the end it was a bit of a push to the finish but I had the support of my running group, The Wednesday 6.15 Pub Runners. I was leading the group on the last day of the challenge and needed roughly 400 meters to finish. I took the group from North Road in North East Valley up the Pineapple Track to Flagstaff and over to the bullring where I had 2 minibuses waiting for us, these were greatly appreciated by the group and were generously loaned to us by Hanson Rental Vehicles and Midway Motors.

    Albeit a successful challenge, I am over the moon to say that the fundraising has been the real winner on the day. Currently I have raised $6,500 for Life Matters and I hope to raise a little more than this with my Raffle closing Monday next week.

    The support and generosity has been amazing and I am so pleased to have been able to help such an awesome charity.

    Thank you all so much for your kindness!

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Two Days to Go!

      30 March 2021
    Main image

    With only two days left of this challenge I have somehow managed to get a little behind the schedule, as I write this I still have 1,807 meters left to climb. Ordinarily that wouldn't be too hard but when I have to consider my work/home life, this is a lot harder than it sounds.

    I will have to get out for at least 600 meters tonight, 600 meters tomorrow morning and then a final push tomorrow night with my running group in support to get a final 600 meters - should be easy!

    Funds raised so far have just gone over $4,500 when I combine the donations with raffle ticket sales. I have not yet published the details of the raffle on social media but will do today. If you see this on Facebook or Instagram can you please share this around as much as you can. There are some really cool prizes from the Otago Highlanders, Macpac, Bivouac Outdoors, Otago Sports Depot, Aerobic Edge, Hands on Health, Caversham Physiotherapy and Adams Flags.

    I always like to finish these updates with a thank you as without all your generous donations I'd be nowhere, so thank you all very much indeed, your generosity will make a difference!

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • Recovery Time

      24 March 2021
    Main image

    It is day 24 of the challenge and I have climbed 25,572 meters of elevation, and the good news is that I am on track and injury free.

    This weekend was rather larger as I competed at the Northburn 100 Ultra Marathon event, this is a tough course with roughly 10,000 meters of elevation. I am happy to say that it went well and I did far better than expected. However, I am currently recovering from the event and will get back out looking for more elevation some time this week.

    I also have started a raffle for the cause with some amazing prizes from the Otago Highlanders, Macpac, Bivouac Outdoors, Otago Sports Depot, Hands on Health, Caversham Physio and Aeroobic Edge. I will be selling tickets this weekend at the Three Peaks Mountain Race in Dunedin and will also post the details online.

    Thank you so much again for your support, we have raised a great sum of money and I am pushing hard to keep it coming in.

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • End of Week 1

      9 March 2021
    Main image

    Well it certainly has been an interesting week, the first half was spent tired, not so much from the running but just having to get up so early each day to get enough time to fit it all in. I was wondering what I had taken on and whether I had bitten off more than I can chew! However as the week progressed into the weekend I started to feel much stronger and more at ease with the the challenge.

    Friday evening was a bit of fun with a trip to the Rock and Pillars above Middlemarch with a couple of crazy mates, Steve and Glenn. We achieved a little over 2500 meters before calling it to remain fresh for a big weekend on the feet. We timed the sunset perfectly and got some great shots of the Life Matters flag on top of the range, it was pretty special.

    As I write this I have gained 10,795 vertical meters over 9 days. What I find the hardest to believe is that this is only 1,795 meters ahead of par and having only taken one day off so far I cannot see when the next one will be.

    Ah well, onwards and upwards! I have one Everest completed and only 2.5 to go 👍

    Thanks again for your support and donations, I couldn’t be doing this without you all behind me, that motivation is huge 🙏🙏🙏

    Please do share this around with your friends and family as much as you, every bit of awareness helps ✅

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment

  • It’s about to start!

      28 February 2021

    I wanted to thank you all for you very kind and generous donations! I have been blown away at the support and I am now well and truly committed to the cause.

    With Feb being such a short month the start of this challenge has arrived sooner than expected! Today my mind has tuned into how hard this is going to be and I’m planning the first of 31 days of finding as much vert as I can.

    Stay tuned for updates or if you’d like to keep a closer eye on what I’m doing then follow me on Instagram -

    https://www.instagram.com/toffs_trails/

    Thanks again!

      0 comments  |  Login to leave a comment