Upward, Chris the soldier
Reporter: Gillian Potts
Date published: 04 October 2011
SALVATION Army church leader Chris Neilson is facing an uphill battle to raise cash.
Fitton Hill-based Chris headed out to the Himalayas on Saturday to begin a six-day trek to the Everest base camp to raise £5,000 for the Eden Youth Project and the Salvation Army homeless drop-in centre in Egerton Street.
Trekking for up to 10 hours a day at an altitude of 18,000ft, Chris first had to brave a landing at Lukla Airport, infamous for its hair-raising mountainside runway.
Joking he’d been preparing for his epic endurance by “snacking on burgers and chips and reading Bear Grylls’s autobiography”, in reality Chris has been running half-marathons and hill walking.
Before he left he said: “I’m a bit nervous now, I’ve heard they’ve been experiencing temperatures of -28C and although I have been training and have a good level of fitness it’s the altitude that could be a problem and you can’t prepare for that.”
Chris has been church leader at Fitton Hill for eight years.
Prior to that he worked for the Salvation Army in Russia, setting up a social services centre.
Chris says sponsoring him will help the Salvation Army continue its essential work in Oldham.
You can donate by visiting www.justgiving.com/chrisateverest.
To find out more about the Eden Project and keep up-to-date with Chris’ progress visit www.edenoldham.com
...And Richard’s trekking to help slum children
AN accountant is taking a calculated risk to help out desperate youngsters in India.
Richard Wyers is to trek to Everest base camp next month to raise money for The Break Out Project which provides relief to slum and street children in Mumbai, India.
The 32-year-old has climbed Ben Nevis and Snowdon in preparation for the epic hike, which he signed up for through charity founder and personal trainer Mark Brereton-Patel.
“I did the Inca Trail a few years ago but nothing like this before,” said Richard, who is also undertaking a gruelling regime of circuit training in preparation for the trip.
“I’m pledging to raise £2,000, of which every penny will go to BOP, and I’ll be covering my own expenses.”
Richard, who plays the viola and studied at Oldham Music Centre and Leeds College of Music, has also arranged a jazz night with professional singer and friend Ella Rooke, from Greenfield, to raise money for BOP.
Tickets, £10 including a disco and food, for the event on Saturday, October 15, at St Edward’s Parish Hall, Lees, are available from Katherine Wyers on 07765 243145 or from The Choc Box, in Lees.
For more information on BOP visit www.breakoutproject.org or www.facebook.com/TheBreakOutProject
