Cycling enthusiast takes on ‘Everesting’ challenge for Springhill Hospice

Local cyclist, Daniel Taylor has announced his intention to ‘climb Everest’ with an endurance event that will raise vital funds for Springhill Hospice.

He is set to take on the global concept of ‘Everesting’, while staying within the current government travel regulations, to complete the challenge within a few miles of his home.

Everesting has been described as ‘the most difficult climbing challenge in the world’. Those taking on this ‘brutally hard, yet fiendishly simple’ challenge pick the hill of their choice and complete repeats of it until they have climbed 8,848 metres, the height of Mount Everest.

Daniel’s bike ride will take place in one day over Blackstone Edge, near Littleborough. This is a 2.14 mile climb which gains 229 metres of elevation. To reach the height of Everest he will have to do the climb 39 times. There is no time limit for the climb but it must be completed in a single bicycle ride without any sleep.

Trainee doctor Daniel, from Rochdale, is a former volunteer at Springhill Hospice. He said: “I attempted this challenge last year and after 17 hours of riding had to stop as my knees couldn’t take the strain. But I refuse to give in and with the added motivation of raising money for such a worthwhile cause, I am determined to succeed. I have been training all year for this, racking up over 2,200 miles of riding in the last five months.”

He went on: “Springhill Hospice is a cause particularly close to my heart. Whilst studying for my A-Levels, I volunteered at the hospice for over a year and in my current role as a medical student, I have gained further insight into the valuable services hospices provide. They rely on public donations and in the wake of Covid-19, this support is needed more than ever.”

Springhill’s Community Support Fundraiser, Barbara Lloyd said: “At Springhill we rely heavily on donations from members of the public and our local community. The number of events and fundraising activities that have been postponed or cancelled due to Covid-19 has had a huge impact on this and we are working hard to find new and exciting ways to fundraise so we can ensure the continuation of the high level of care Springhill is known for, both now and in the future. The Everesting challenge is a fantastic example of how this can be done.”

Barbara went on: “This is such a difficult time for everyone, for so many reasons, and we are incredibly grateful to Daniel, and our many other supporters and fundraisers, for the wonderful ways they have found, whether at home or with virtual events online, to continue providing their valuable support.”

Springhill Hospice has continued to provide palliative and end of life care throughout the lockdown period with their doctors and nurses caring for patients within the in-patient unit at the hospice and by visiting patients in their homes. Telephone support for patients and families is also being provided.

You can keep up with the latest information about access to hospice services by visiting:

• www.springhill.org.uk/coronavirus

You can support Daniel and Springhill Hospice via his Just Giving fundraising page at:

• www.justgiving.com/Daniel-Taylor77

For more information about the Everesting challenge, which can be completed on a bike, on foot or online, as well as other ways to get involved in supporting Springhill Hospice, email fundraising@springhill.org.uk or call 01706 641790.

*Update 08/06/2020 - Daniel completed his Everesting challenge in a little over 19 hours completing 37 laps of the route and raised over £2,500 for the hospice.*