A KIND-hearted ardent supporter of Chadsgrove School’s extraordinary work set off yesterday (Thursday) on the ‘trek of a lifetime’ to the Mount Everest Base Camp to help enrich the lives of its children.
Kevin Hatch jetted off to Kathmandu to begin his journey, which will see him climb 5,644m above sea level.
All the cash raised from the trek will go to Chadsgrove to upgrade its outside play area and sensory garden, including wheelchair-friendly access routes to enable everyone at the school to enjoy the outside space.
The cash will also provide funding for community outreach programmes.
Kevin first visited Chadsgrove while working with Severn Trent Water, helping to plant and open a tiny forest at the school last year as part of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games celebrations.
He has also taken part in several of the school’s fund-raisers.
He said: “From the first time I walked into the school I was taken back by how amazing the children were and how much of a joy they were to be around.
“Chadsgrove is an extraordinary school filled with amazing pupils who need a bit of extra support to be able to engage with the world around them.”
Kevin will stay in Kathmandu for the next few days before flying to Lukla, believed to be the world’s most dangerous airport.
His journey will then take him through Sherpa villages, past monasteries and over suspension bridges en route to the base camp of the world’s highest mountain.
The following morning, he will then start to climb to the highest point of the trek, Kala Patthar, before travelling back to Kathmandu.
Kevin has already raised £12,000 for Chadsgrove, smashing his £10,000 target.
He told the Standard: “I’m really happy with the total, it will make a huge difference.
“It just shows that even when times are tough with the cost-of-living crisis people still care.”
Kevin added he was prepared mentally for the trek but admitted he did not think anything could prepare him for the altitude of his 85-mile round trip.
Kevin will record his journey on a GoPro camera and will take the footage to show the school children when he returns to present the cheque to them.
Visit justgiving.com/crowdfunding/kevin-hatch-234 to donate.
