A dad of two is planning to enter the record books by scaling the dizzying heights of Mount Everest – from the comparative comfort of Cumbria.
Businessmen Nigel Tarn will spend five grueling days conquering the hills of the Lake District logging up over 29,000ft of ascent. During his trek he will cover 100km and will be taking on over 30 of the highest peaks and hills in his quest to conquer the Cumbrian version of the Himalayas.
Nigel, who runs the Turbo Drinks Company which sells an alcoholic lager and lemonade black bottled drink, decided to make the trek in memory of his daughter Lia-Rose who died from meningitis days after being born .
The 34-year-old said last night: “I wanted to do something that would raise the profile of the disease to help prevent other parents going through what we did.
I did originally think about actually going to the Himalayas but despite being a Cumbrian I am not too fond of the extreme cold so I came up with the idea of doing it here instead in the UK. Also you don't need to travel abroad for great mountains, there are some amazingly challenging fells here in the Lake District It’s a novel idea but has really captured people’s imagination and because it’s a good cause and there is a story behind it people have been putting their hands in their pockets. I just hope our great British weather holds out.”
Nigel’s daughter Lia-Rose died at 5 days old from Group B Streptococcal Meningitis, in 2005 at Airedale hospital in Yorkshire. She died from the most common form of Meningitis in those under five and annually 700 babies become infected and 75 die but now Nigel hopes his trek will help to stem the tide.
Nigel has spent six months training in hazardous conditons in order to prepare for his trek of a lifetime.
He has already been backed in his bid by Blacks, the UK’s largest outdoor equipment firm and has four other volunteers doing the trek with him. All proceeds from the trek will go to Group B Strep support group a publicly funded support group who help families of victims of the disease.
To support Nigel in his bid go to www.justgiving.com/nigel-tarn or text nige74 and the amount you wish to donate to 70070.
