Teacher’s mission to reach the top

Intrepid teacher . . . Steve Hill surrounded by his well-wishing pupils

INTREPID teacher Steve Hill has set his sights high for his latest mammoth fund-raising challenge.

The deputy head of St Joseph’s Primary School, Shaw, has vowed to climb Western Europe’s tallest mountain, Mont Blanc.

At 15,780ft, it will be the toughest outdoor challenge Mr Hill has ever encountered.

His success in scaling Mount Kilimanjaro last year netted £5,000 for the Christie’s at Oldham appeal.

And the triumph left him well and truly bitten by the climbing bug.

He said: “After the amazing experience and challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro, I decided to do something challenging again this year.

“After discussion with my extremely enthusiastic class of Year 6 pupils, I decided to climb Mont Blanc in the French Alps.”

Much of the money raised last year was down to Mr Hill’s pupils, who threw themselves behind their stout-hearted tutor. This latest challenge will take much more to conquer, and with just over two months left to prepare, Mr Hill is going all out to get fit.

He explained: “I’m in training at present and getting myself in the best shape possible to reach the summit as I’m told the ascent is extremely arduous.

“I am running six miles at least twice a week and spending time in the gym. In June I’m taking part in the National 3 Peaks Challenge, climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon in 24 hours, with some friends.”

He said of his Mont Blanc challenge: “As long as I don’t fall down any crevices or get caught up in an avalanche then it should be an amazing experience that I’m sure I won’t forget in a hurry.

“Anyway there’s not a chance I won’t make the summit — I’d lose too much street cred with the children at school if I didn’t make it.”

The money raised by the teacher and his class this year will be split between Help for Heroes and the BIRD (brain injury rehabilitation and development) charity. Mr Hill will leave Oldham bound for the Alps on July 31. His mission is to reach the lofty summit of Mont Blanc to fly the flag for St Joseph’s, and return triumphant seven days later.

Mr Hill will fund the trip himself, and any money raised through sponsorship will go to charity.

To sponsor him, visit www.justgiving.com/stephenhill7