Everest beckons

W.Bro Phil “Sherpa” Rycroft

Before collecting my bus pass in November, I set out to achieve a life time ambition, to see and experience the Himalayas. Three years ago I suffered heart problems and now have a pacemaker fitted; this has actually spurred me into action.  In September I joined a group of five cyclists to ride across the roof of the world, from the remote city of Lhasa in Tibet, to Everest base camp North, then climb some of the world’s highest passes, many in excess of 5,000 metres, to cross the Himalayas The final descent to Katmandu in Nepal was a mind blowing 90 miles freewheel downhill. The journey was 1200 kilometres and took 16 days. That’s 14 days up and 2 days down! The traverse included dirt roads and camping at high altitude in sub zero temperatures, in some of the most inaccessible areas of the world and yak butter tea!

The help and support the British Heart Foundation have given me has made all of this possible. The gifts and sponsorship have already raised over £2000 and we hope for more.

 I am therefore raising money for the British Heart Foundation ‘Moving Hearts Appeal’.

The appeal aims to raise £38,000 towards the cost of a new state of the art portable echo cardiograph (echo) machine for use at North Devon District Hospital. Life saving equipment like this is expensive, but it is vital to save and improve more lives in North Devon.

Why not hold a raffle and donate the proceeds to the fund?

If anyone would like to contribute to Phil’s fund-raising please contact him via the Secretary of the Fortescue Mark Lodge No. 9

                   W.Bro Michael Boynton

     Master of Fortescue Mark Lodge No. 9