Story

Taking on the Virtual Everesting Challenge for Two Great Causes: Falkirk Rugby Football Club and Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity

On 21st December 2024, I’ll be embarking on one of the most gruelling and mentally demanding cycling challenges there is, vEveresting.

What is vEveresting?

It’s a virtual version of Everesting, where you pick a hill on a cycling gaming platform such as Zwift and ride it over and over again until you’ve climbed the equivalent of Mount Everest, 8,848 metres of elevation. And yes, it’s every bit as hard as it sounds! Depending on how I am feeling on the day, it will take me somewhere between 12-16 hours.

Climb Details

Alpe du Zwift

Distance 12.22km

Elevation 1036m

Average Grade - 8.5%

Laps - 8.5

This is more than just a personal challenge; I’m riding to support:

1. Falkirk Rugby Football Club

2. Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity

Two organisations close to my heart.

What is Falkirk Rugby Football Club?

Falkirk RFC isn’t just about rugby. This incredible community-run organisation focuses on providing amazing coaching to kids in our local area by providing them with a sense of belonging, discipline, and physical fitness. The best part? It's entirely volunteer-driven. Coaches, coordinators, and everyone involved are there because they care deeply about the kids and the community, creating a safe, fun, and empowering environment for them.

What does Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity do?

Glasgow Hospital Children’s Charity is dedicated to supporting sick kids and their families through difficult times. The charity funds life-saving medical equipment, family support services, and play programs to bring some comfort and joy into children’s hospital stays. Their work helps make hospital visits a little less frightening for kids and a lot more hopeful for their families.

Why These Causes Matter to Me

As a parent of two amazing little boys, I’ve gained a new perspective on how important it is to support children, whether through activities that build their confidence and health or by ensuring that they have the best possible care when they’re sick. The work these charities do aligns with my values, and ever since becoming a parent myself, I feel more invested in what we can do to give kids the best opportunities for a happy, healthy life.

A Challenge Unlike Any Other

This challenge is a big deal for me. I only started cycling a year ago, and though I’ve been pushing myself, this will undoubtedly be the hardest cycling challenge I’ve ever done. But with your support, I know I can reach the summit—both of Mount Everest (virtually) and my fundraising goals!

I’ll be live-streaming the entire event on YouTube, so you can follow along in real-time. The link to view is below. If you use Zwift, you’re more than welcome to join me for part of the climb, or all of it if you’re feeling particularly brave. Just teleport into my event. Every ounce of encouragement will help me push through the inevitable wall of fatigue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ChMYF9oCzM

Stretch Goal: The 10,000 Metre Club

As if vEveresting wasn’t enough of a challenge, if the difference between the amount raised for these two charities is within £50, I’ll keep going beyond the 8,848 meters to hit the 10,000-metre club, because why not take on just a little bit more suffering for a good cause?

Oh, and about that image of me…

If you see an AI-generated image of me promoting the event, let’s just say the algorithm was very kind. If only my real self could look and climb like that version of me! But who knows, maybe with enough support, I’ll start looking more like that after this event!

Your support means everything to me and these two fantastic causes. Every donation, share, and cheer counts. Let’s make a difference together!