Jackson Bursill, a fourth year ANU student as well as prolific Inward Bound competitor and coach, has co-founded “Neverest”, a challenge that will see him, three other individuals and 12 relay teams run the vertical height of Everest on Stockyard’s Spur in Canberra on Saturday 30th May.
Bursill’s aim is to raise money for the Australian Himalayan Foundation after the Nepalese earthquakes severely affected more than 350,000 people, roughly the population of Canberra. The challenge to try and raise $50,000 has taken ANU by storm, with teams from various colleges and Tri Friends participating along with other inter-state teams.
A vertical test of endurance, relay teams or individuals will ascend Stockyard Spur above Corin Dam 18 times. Starting at 9pm on Friday 29th May, relay teams and individuals will begin the 75km trek with hopes of completing it in 18 hours. The length of the challenge pushes it into the “ultra marathon” category, but with the added challenge of a continuous incline. All money raised will be for the Australian Himalayan Foundation and its relief efforts in Nepal.
The Australian Himalayan foundation works in partnership with local communities directly affected by the earthquake. Their work focuses on improving education, health and conservation in the area. Since the earthquake, they have been providing relief particularly to the communities and schools that they have been assisting for many years.
As such, the Foundation is best placed to make the most valuable contribution in the recovery process. In addition, as members of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) they are held to a code of conduct ensuring all money raised directly helps the recovery process. To date, more than $7,000 has been raised from donations all over Australia.
The challenge to date has over 75 runners participating. If all participants finish Neverest, a World Record for the largest number of people attaining the greatest vertical distance in a 24-hour period will be achieved.
To track their progress and donate, visit the website: https://www.chuffed.org/project/neverest/ or with the #neverest2015 on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
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