Wolverhampton fundraisers awarded for summitting the height of Mount Everest in aid of veterans’ mental health charity
Wolverhampton fundraisers Matt Lamb and Richard Baldwin have been awarded Fundraiser of the Year by veterans’ mental health charity Combat Stress. Combat Stress, who deliver specialist treatment and support across the UK to former service personnel with military-related trauma such as post-traumatic stress disorder, announced the pair as the recipient of the award on Thursday, 27 February at their annual awards ceremony.
Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Last September, the pair – who both work in civilian roles at RAF Cosford – took on the gruelling challenge of repeatedly summiting the mountain Helvellyn in the Lake District. Their aim was to conquer the equivalent of the height of Mount Everest (8,849m) as part of the Apex Everest Challenge. Out of 100 participants, only 27 completed the exhausting event within the 48-hour time limit. Richard crossed the finish line in an astonishing 4th place, completing the challenge in just 29 hours and 43 minutes. Matt, a newcomer to endurance challenges, secured 7th place in the individual event, finishing in 32 hours and 25 minutes.
Their determination saw them raise an incredible, and vital, £14,000 for Combat Stress.
On his award, Richard said: “Working with veterans, some of whom are still suffering from the mental scars of their service, as well as having lost friends due to the challenges of living with PTSD after tours of Iraq and Afghanistan, meant that I really wanted to help make a difference.
“I didn’t enter the challenge or take on the responsibility of fundraising for any recognition, so just to be considered for the award meant a huge amount to me let alone actually receiving it! It will be cherished more than any of the finisher medals I have from some of the toughest races in the UK.”
On his award, Matt said: “My motivation behind supporting Combat Stress comes from having close friends and family who served and faced their own mental health battles as a result. They all gave their everything and sacrificed so much but never asked for anything in return, so I wanted to do the same.
“32.5 hours of pain later, I’m proud that I have contributed to getting veterans the help they deserve. To get an award and be recognised in this way was never the ambition, so I am left feeling overwhelmed and immensely honoured.”
