Financial burden of flying leaves fundraising mountaineer Akke grounded

Finding out that those who have been vaccinated must still pay up to £400 to get private COVID tests before they fly has clipped the wings of an intrepid Oldham fundraiser.

Akke Rahman has conquered some of the world’s toughest peaks over the last year, including scaling Russian giant Mount Elbrus in record time weeks after overcoming coronavirus.

But raising the readies to fly abroad when foreign travel is once again permitted has proved an even bigger mountain to climb – with the price of 'Fit to Fly' documents and PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) swab tests being the tip of the iceberg.

Now the so-called Bengali Mountaineer is grounded, and his fundraising brought to a shuddering halt.

“As someone who has had COVID-19, I can wholly understand the precautions being taken by governments around the world to prevent the spread of the virus and its variants,” said Akke.

“But I do wonder if the control of movement in this case isn’t just another example of an airport tax designed to raise revenue.

"I would hate to think that once lockdown is lifted, it prevented someone from visiting a dying loved one or stopped people from aiding those overseas.”

A cursory study of the internet reveals that required PCR tests (which cannot be undertaken by the NHS say travel agents because they are too labour intensive) are on sale in a competitive marketplace.

Companies have even run short-term sales campaigns, with documentation available at £33.

Needed to enter over 30 countries, only Iceland provides PCR tests free-of-charge at their airports.

Having raised funds for local school projects in Oldham and international aid relief in the past, Akke was hoping to rack up the pounds for Epilepsy Action by summiting Kilimanjaro this April.

He is still hopeful of conquering Nepalese mountain Ama Dablam (rated by some to be as tough as Everest) in October for Penny Appeal, which offers poor relief in 30 countries, including the UK. But this is dependent on being able to overcome the increasing financial burden of travelling.

“If I climbed a UK mountain, the cost of travel may be offset, but the impact I will make will not be the same,” admitted the 38-year-old.

"Charities have had a tough lockdown due to the cancellation of events and it will be more difficult to prize cash from the public for a trek to Snowdonia rather than a record-breaking attempt on Everest.

"In my view the shame of it is that this has been caused by belt and braces bureaucracy and an attempt to make money – not because of safety.

"And that seems thoroughly unfair when cash could instead be raised for charity.”

Can you help pay for Akke’s travel requirements and help him raise the pounds for Penny Appeal?

Contact 0759 202 8142 for sponsorship opportunities.

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