POWELL HOUSE CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS SEE BOYS CLIMB EVEREST ON WINDER

Powell House boys, tutors and parents spent Sunday completing their sponsored ‘Everest on Winder’ challenge, raising money for Roger Lupton Scholarships, to give young people from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity of a Sedbergh education.

Teams decided on how many ascents they would make, with Will Green, Sam Down and Hamish Clark, all sixth formers, making eight ascents, and most other teams and the tutor team making four.

All year groups were involved and one pupil, Veron Chung, 18, from Hong Kong, who suffers with vertigo and a balance condition that he has had since birth, made one ascent.  “It takes a long time to climb Winder and it was a hard climb but I did it in just over two hours and felt satisfied to have done something that is such a part of Sedbergh tradition.”

Head of House Will Green said: “In total, we climbed 196, 334 ft, with 17 ascents in total, which is the equivalent of Base Camp to Summit on Mount Everest, or 8 full ascents. It was fantastic to have the support of a group of parents, too, and to see donations coming in. Last time I checked, we had raised more than half of our target of £5,000.”

Richard Witt, Foundation Director, said: This was a great effort by the boys in the house to contribute to the overall total of 100k that was set by the Housemaster at the beginning of the Centenary year. The parents, old boys and current pupils have raised over £ 60,000 and we hope the Powell House dinner in London on 12th Oct will help to boost the total towards the magic 100.”

Housemaster John Seymour said: “I was so very proud of our boys and all the parents who took on this daunting challenge.  Not only have we raised a lot of money for a very good cause, I don’t think it is too much of an exaggeration to say that we have ‘grown’ as a result of taking on this challenge; it was a great test of character and teamwork.”

If you would like to support the Powell House fundraising efforts, please visit

http://campaign.justgiving.com/charity/sedbergh/powellhouseeverest

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