Teacher Jon Hubbard is aiming really high this weekend to help earthquake victims in Nepal.
Along with colleague Will Legon, he has organising a special climbing challenge to raise funds for the shattered country.
And the pair have appealed for as many people as possible to join the Ten in Ten in Ten 4 Nepal trek in Derbyshire tomorrow (Saturday May 16.)
They have devised a 10-mile circular route around Stanage Edge, Burbage and Higgar Tor. Along the way, those taking part will try to scale 10 of the hundreds of rock climbs they will pass within 10 hours. Afterwards, there will be post-climb party at the Angler’s Rest in Bamford.
“The route has some classic climbs and there will be lots going on,” said Jon, 49, who is from Huddersfield but now lives in Elland.
His desire to help was sparked by time he spent teaching in Nepal in the 1990s. “I was the only westerner in a remote village,” said Jon. “The nearest bus stop was five days walk away.
“That experience changed my life. I saw what was happening after the earthquake and knew I just had to help.”
Tomorrow a number of well-known climbers and mountaineers will be involved as guides and speakers. At the pub party, a fund-raising auction will be hosted by top mountaineer Andy Kirkpatrick.
For safety reasons, no more than 200 people can part in the challenge and around 70 have already signed up. Taking part costs a minimum of £50, or £100 for a guide.
Jon, who works at a Wakefield centre for children out of mainstream schools, said: “The situation in Nepal is desperate and we want to raise as much as we possibly can and appeal to people to get involved.”
More details on www.facebook.com/TeninTeninTen4Nepal
