THE 71-year-old father-in-law of a soldier who was killed while serving his country will climb the height of Mount Everest from his own home in a bid to achieve a £250,000 fundraising target.
Mike Jackson, from Lexden, has spent more than nine years drumming up support for military charity Help for Heroes, alongside a dedicated band of supporters.
He has done so in the name of his son-in-law, Colour Serjeant Kevin Fortuna, who was just 36 when he was killed by a roadside bomb while on active duty in Afghanistan.
After Kevin’s death in 2011, raising funds to try to make a difference has become a routine part of Mike’s life.
Through accepting donations in supermarkets, shops, pubs and restaurants, and through an annual fundraising bicycle ride, Mike’s team has raised about £225,000 to date.
“Originally we wanted to raise £10,000, but it just keeps rolling on,” he said.
“It has just become part of our life now.
“Normally by the end of October we would have raised around £20,000, but this year the total is only £5,172,” he said.
“I am still emptying collecting tubs, but takings are severely reduced, we haven’t rattled since March and we weren’t even able to do Kev’s annual bike ride in May for the first time in eight years.
“Drastic action is called for, so I’ve decided to climb Mount Everest.”
Admitting the cost of travelling to Nepal is too steep, Mike will instead make 125 ascents of his staircase every day for 30 days.
Tackling the challenge across November, the hardy fundraiser will climb a total of 47,151 stairs, ascending more than 29,000ft in total.
He said: “Training, transportation, equipment and a Sherpa would cost at least £25,000 and, allowing for several sessions of base camp altitude training, would take at least ten weeks.
“Added to this the difficulties imposed by various lockdown restrictions, means I’ve decided to modify things slightly and will undertake the challenge from the comfort of my own home.
“Technically, being 71, I am classed as vulnerable currently.”
He joked: “I also aim to be the first person to climb Mount Everest wearing shorts.”
Kevin, who served with 1st Battalion, the Rifles, stepped on a roadside bomb’s pressure pad while on patrol in Helmand Provence, Afghanistan.
His family make regular trips to Kevin’s graveside at Colchester Cemetery, with the trip set to be marked with even more poignancy on Remembrance Sunday.
“We know Kevin’s regiment, the Rifles, have got a wreath for him which will be brought to the cemetery by a Rifleman on Remembrance Sunday,” said Mike.
“If there is more than six of us, we will separate ourselves out to make space.
“It is always difficult, but it will be different this year and we will still do what we can.”
“It is the most unusual day of the year - it is also one of the few days of the year I wear trousers.”
He added: “We were hoping to reach our fundraising target by the end of next year - the tenth anniversary of Kevin’s death.
“We will keep going, and the amazing thing is one anonymous donor has already committed £300, while one lad who hasn’t got much money donated £20.
“It has definitely spurred me on to make sure I do this challenge.”
To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/4tuna.
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