How Warwickshire residents can climb a mountain for Myton Hospices during lockdown

With its fundraising powers crippled by coronavirus, The Myton Hospices has come up with a challenge designed to raise money, boost morale and keep supporters fit during lockdown.

With a mountain to climb to keep the money rolling in during these unprecedented times, the charity, which cares for terminally ill people across Coventry and Warwickshire, is calling on people to climb a mountain of their own - with its new #MytonMountain campaign.

The concept is simple – participants walk up and down the stairs of their home or workplace – and step-by-step they can scale their very own virtual mountain.

Chris Willmott, corporate fundraiser at Myton said: “Whether you’re working from home, at work, furloughed, a child or teenager on lockdown, or a super-fit over-70 in self-isolation, everyone can take part in this challenge and help us meet our challenge too.

"The #MytonMountain campaign will also help keep you fit and healthy – an important part of the battle against coronavirus.”

The campaign features six challenges, ranging from the Malvern Hills to Everest, to ensure there is something for everyone.

Using the average height of a UK staircase, Myton has worked out the number of times participants would have to climb their stairs to scale the following peaks:

Everest – 29,079ft = 3,695 stair ascents

Kilimanjaro – 19,340ft = 2,457 stair ascents

Ben Nevis – 4,413ft = 561 stair ascents

Snowdon – 3,560ft = 452 stair ascents

Scafell Pike – 3,210ft = 408 stair ascents

Malvern Hills – 1,394ft = 177 stair ascents

Stair descents do not count, as you would have to climb back down

“Our fundraising has been hit hard by coronavirus and we would be grateful to anyone who can support us through this campaign or by simply making a donation to help us through this global crisis,” added Chris.

“So many people were due to take part in events and challenges to raise money for us in the coming months, but Coronavirus has stopped them in their tracks. We hope this new campaign will offer a fun alternative while helping to raise vital funds at such a difficult time.”

All Myton asks is that people set up a JustGiving page linked to the campaign and get friends, family or their employers to sponsor them for their efforts, because ‘every little will make such a huge difference to the lives of Myton’s terminally ill patients and their families’.

For more information go to: www.mytonhospice.org/mountain

You can join the #MytonMountain Facebook group to see updates and others taking on the challenge

To make a donation to Myton go to: www.mytonhospice.org/appeal