UPDATE:

I'm now back at UK ground level. I went to Everest looking for a sense of completion after attempting to summit 20 years ago. In this respect, I feel a real sense of closure. But my main motivation was to say thank you to the amazing staff and Peer Advisors we are so fortunate to have at St Giles Trust, the charity I'm very proud to work for. It's gritty, complex and challenging work that is vital to society. It is undertaken with compassion and effectiveness by people with real credibility and determination. So to all you out there grafting for our clients - I salute you. You do extraordinary feats day in - day out.

I'd also like to take this unique opportunity to thank all our supporters and funders. You are the fuel that keeps our engine running and without you none of our work would happen.

Finally, I'd like to thank my family. Your support and encouragement has been unwavering and life-affirming.

I've written a very personal account on my experiences on Everest, which you can read on my blog here:

https://www.stgilestrust.org.uk/news-blog/everest-blood-sweat-a-few-tears-nausea-and-double-deckers-of-falling-ice

. . .

As the Chief Executive of the brilliant charity St Giles Trust, I am deeply moved by the incredible work each person here does every day. It is often very challenging, sometimes dangerous but ultimately hugely worthwhile and inspiring.

St Giles Trust is an organisation I feel privileged and proud to head. I'm just as humbled by what I see today as I was when I joined in 2007.

As someone who has always tried to lead by example, during the last ten years I taken on a number of challenges in the name of St Giles Trust - running the London Marathon pulling an arctic sledge and trekking the Three Peaks in Yorkshire to name a couple - but I never felt like they quite did 100% justice to the effort put in by our teams here.

I am now embarking on my greatest challenge yet. Spanning from early April to late May 2017, I will endeavour to scale the world's highest mountain - Mount Everest, followed immediately by Mount Lhotse (the world's fourth highest).

With Mt Everest standing at 8,848 metres and Mt Lhotse reaching 8,516 metres, I cannot wait to take in the splendour and tackle the challenges posed by ascending to the cruising altitude of a Boeing 747.

In leading St Giles Trust, I believe I'm standing on the shoulders of giants. The life changing work achieved here only happens because of the dedication and determination of our staff. Climbing two of the world's most giant mountains is my way of paying tribute to them while also raising much-needed funds for our vital frontline work.

Any contribution you can make towards the work of St Giles Trust will be deeply appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. - Rob Owen OBE

You can keep up-to-date with my progress on St Giles Trust's website and follow my journey on St Giles Trust's social media channels.

Twitter: @StGilesTrust

Facebook: /StGilesTrust

Instagram: @st_giles_trust

YouTube: goo.gl/qm2Z5Y