David Winsbury was just five years old when he vowed to climb Mount Everest one day, and despite twice being delayed due to Covid, a 26-year-old David has finally realised his childhood dream, raising more than £5,000 for leading end-of-life charity Treetops Hospice, too.
David, from Long Eaton, said: “Mount Everest is something that has always fascinated me and although I’ve been made to wait almost three years because of Coronavirus, it was so worth it. We climbed to the base camp but, hopefully one day, I’d like to climb to the summit.
“I travelled with a group of 15 climbers led by Trevor Rigley, store manager for the Co-op, who have supported the trip. Trevor’s enthusiasm and the knowledge of our tour manager Lee Doak, who is a Marine Engineer with the British Army, was much-needed. We wouldn’t have made it without their help and guidance.
“The first time most of us met was at Heathrow airport. We had spoken in group chats previously but, for most of us, that meeting at the airport was the first time that we had actually met in person.
“We flew into Kathmandu airport, which was wonderfully chaotic; a far cry from the stunning and very peaceful villages that surround Everest.
“We met so many villagers on our climb who were only too glad to have tourists return to Everest, after three-years seeing very few. They were really friendly and hospitable. The facilities were very basic, as you would expect; outdoor taps and toilets, but that was fine.”
David prepared for the climb by walking hundreds of miles over the past few years throughout the Derbyshire countryside.
But he says that nothing quite prepares you for the trek up the biggest mountain above sea level. He added: “I have done as much strength training and walking in my spare time as possible,” said David, “but nothing really prepares you for the trek.
“Obviously you need to be in good, physical health but there were members of our party who had been spending five days in the gym every week and even they admitted that it was a struggle.
“Then there’s the altitude sickness you have to deal with. I found it OK but one of my climbing friends struggled so badly that we almost had to call the Air Ambulance to collect him from the mountain; he was so ill.
“Thankfully, he came round after receiving altitude sickness tablets and was able to continue the journey. We saw the most incredible sights; transport on Mount Everest is basic – goods are moved around using donkeys and Yaks – but we had to carry our own equipment.”
At the foot of the mountain, David and his fellow climbers enjoyed temperatures of 35C but, at base camp, temperatures plummeted to -10C.
David, though, says that he would climb Mount Everest again in a heartbeat – and is already planning his next adventure.
“I’d like to attempt to break the record to walk Hadrian’s Wall and, one day, I would like to climb Mount Kilimanjaro,” added David, “but for now, I’m keeping my feet firmly on the ground.”
David has raised more than £5,000 for Treetops Hospice, who have supported his family following his mum’s diagnosis of breast cancer.
“Mum was diagnosed with breast cancer around six years ago and Treetops have been supporting her in lots of different ways,” said David.
“Mum – Helen Jordan – who is now 55, attends Adapted Tai Chi classes and counselling sessions at Treetops and she says that talking to other people living with cancer has made her feel ‘normal’.
“That, for me, just shows how valuable the service they provide is for families in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.”
Treetops arranged for David to be presented with a letter of encouragement during his epic challenge.
“We were making a final push to base camp. It was a hard day trekking up to 5030 meters and then Trevor bowls up with a letter from Treetops that nearly had me in tears! But it was just what I needed to make sure I made that final push.”
Adela Appleby, Head of Community Relationships, said: “We’re thrilled that David has achieved his life-long dream and made some wonderful memories to look back on for years to come.
“With every step, David has helped us to care for terminally ill patients and their families in the local community and has made a big difference. We want to say a huge congratulations and thank him very much for thinking of us as he took on this amazing challenge.”
To donate to David’s challenge, head to his Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/winsbury-nepal-2020
Feeling inspired? Treetops would love to hear from anyone keen to take part in a challenge or event in aid of the hospice this year.
For more information contact the Fundraising Team on 0115 949 1264, email fundraising @ treetopshospice.org.uk, or head to the charity’s webpage: www.treetopshospice.org.uk/challenges