Everest marathon will be teacher’s toughest challenge yet

MARATHON man Steve Hill with pupil Megan Kinghorn (front) and pupils (from the left) Keaton Wright, Orla Jackson, Daniel Race, Chloe McCullough, Declan Finigan, Sam Heaton and Imani Raza

HE has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and Mont Blanc, trekked through the Sahara Desert and the jungles of Borneo and driven a team of huskies 300 miles across the Arctic.

Now all-action deputy headteacher Steve Hill is tackling the world’s highest and toughest marathon — from Everest base camp to the village of Namche Bazaar.

Mr Hill and his year six classes at St Joseph’s primary school in Shaw have raised over £40,000 for charity from the annual “Mr Hill’s Challenge”.

This year he will fly out to the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, on May 15. He will complete a three-week expedition, trekking to Everest base camp, climbing Mount Kala Paterl, spending three nights at base camp and — to round it off — completing the Tenzing-Hillary Mount Everest Marathon.

Mr Hill pays all the costs himself, so all the money raised goes to good causes. This year’s challenge is in aid of Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research, When You Wish Upon a Star, Macmillan Nurses, the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital and the Alzheimer’s Society.

“I’ve never run a marathon before. I thought if I was going to run one, I might as well have a go at the toughest and highest,” said Mr Hill, who came up with the idea with his pupils.

“I’ve always wanted to visit Mount Everest — one day I’d love to climb it — and this seemed the next best thing.”

The children helped to decide what charities to support. To sponsor Mr Hill visit www.justgiving.com/Stephen-Hill14