Two young brothers from Harrow are preparing to take on a huge indoor climbing challenge to raise money for children affected by devastating floods in Nepal.
Benji Gould, 11, and his nine-year-old brother Nic will head to HarroWall on October 3, where they plan to climb the equivalent height from Mount Everest Base Camp to the summit in a single session.
The pair are taking on the challenge in support of the Nepal Education Foundation, a UK-registered charity which has worked with primary school communities in Nepal for more than 25 years.
A challenge with a personal connection
The fundraiser follows severe flash floods in Nepal’s Rasuwa region, which affected communities supported by the charity.
For the Gould family, the disaster is also deeply personal.
Family friend and trekking guide Dawa Dhakpa was among those lost in the surge at a border crossing. He also served on the board of the Nepal Education Foundation’s partner organisation in Nepal.
James Gould, Benji and Nic’s father and chair of the Nepal Education Foundation, said: “Dawa is such a kind and thoughtful person, and one of the many people we know whose absence is deeply felt in the communities we serve. We are so proud that Benji and Nic wanted to make a positive difference to children affected by the floods.”
Helping children affected by the floods
The money raised will go to the charity’s newly launched Education Recovery Fund.
The fund is being used to support children and families affected by the flooding, including trauma support and learning materials for primary schools in Rasuwa.
Katie Gould, Benji and Nic’s mum, who is a teacher and volunteer with the Nepal Education Foundation, said: “Education provides a safe setting, a sense of routine, and a way for children to process trauma together. Benji and Nic want to do something significant in Dawa’s name to fund that recovery.”
The charity has supported school communities in Nepal for more than two decades and says its focus is on helping children continue their education following the disaster.
Taking on the challenge at HarroWall
The brothers will complete the challenge at HarroWall, an indoor climbing centre based at Neptune Trading Estate in Harrow.
HarroWall opened in 2018 and has grown into one of the best-known indoor climbing venues in the area. It offers bouldering, climbing sessions and coaching for people of different ages and abilities.
The centre is also recognised as a British Mountaineering Council National Performance Centre.
For Benji and Nic, the challenge will mean climbing the equivalent height from Everest Base Camp to the summit in one session.
Mount Everest stands at more than 8,800 metres above sea level, while Base Camp on the Nepal side sits at around 5,300 metres, meaning the boys will need to cover a huge amount of climbing during the session.
How to support them
All money raised will go directly to the Nepal Education Foundation’s Education Recovery Fund.
Members of the public can support Benji and Nic through their fundraising page:
https://www.paypal.com/donate?campaign_id=Y6W3X352D2QVA
The brothers will take on the challenge at HarroWall on October 3.
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