No rest for Sir Ranulph Fiennes as he tackles South American summit
Press release published
Explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes is setting off to climb Aconcagua, the highest mountain in South America, this week as part of his Global Reach Challenge.
Having barely rested since returning from Antarctica in December, the 72 year old is attempting to climb the 6,962m (22, 838 feet) peak in his pursuit to become the first person to have crossed both polar ice caps and climb the highest mountain on each continent, to raise money for the charity Marie Curie.
Mount Aconcagua will present Sir Ranulph with -30 degree temperatures, strong winds, blizzards and whiteouts. Low levels of oxygen also pose a particular problem for Sir Ranulph who suffers from the breathing condition Cheyne–Stokes.
Sir Ranulph is over halfway to completing his record attempt in aid of Marie Curie, having already crossed both polar ice caps, and climbed Mount Everest in Asia, Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, Mount Elbrus in Europe and most recently Mount Vinson in Antarctica.
However, he still needs to successfully summit Aconcagua, Mount Carstensz in Australasia* and finally Denali, the highest peak in North America and one of the world’s most dangerous and difficult mountains to climb - only then will he complete this world first which sees the culmination of his lifetime of exploration.
Sir Ranulph is hoping his efforts will inspire people to donate to his chosen charity, Marie Curie. The money raised will help Marie Curie provide vital care and support to people living with a terminal illness and their families in the UK.
This has all been made possible by sponsorship from long-time benefactor Paul Sykes and TMF Group.
Speaking about his imminent climb Sir Ranulph Fiennes said: “If life consisted of climbing one mountain and then waiting a bit before doing another, it would be quite simple but with the seasons and weather dictating things, that’s not how it is.
“And of course, another obstacle I will face is that things aren’t as they were in the past – the body, with the same amount of training can’t achieve the same things, so success in this challenge is by no means guaranteed. But the whole point of doing this is to raise money for Marie Curie Nurses. If someone donates to my challenge, they are really doing something special which is helping people at what can be the most difficult time in life.”
No stranger to physical challenges, Sir Ranulph has suffered two heart attacks and undergone a double heart bypass and suffers from vertigo.
Dr Jane Collins, Chief Executive of Marie Curie said: “Following the progress of Sir Ranulph’s challenge, it has become increasingly clear what a truly amazing undertaking this is. I cannot overstate my admiration for his determination as well as his unfailing commitment to raising money for Marie Curie. We hope that the success that he’s had so far in his challenge will encourage even more people to get behind him and donate via his Just Giving page.”
Paul Sykes, long-time benefactor of Sir Ranulph Fiennes, said: “Sir Ranulph proves with enormous willpower what can be physically achieved. He is a friend and hero to me and I am proud to support his latest endurance challenge.
“I have sponsored him to raise funds for Marie Cure before which included the Everest, Eiger and Marathon des Sables challenges. The money Sir Ranulph will raise will help Marie Curie reach many more people living with a terminal illness as well as providing vital emotional support for their families.”
Frederik van Tuyll, CEO, TMF Group who are sponsoring the Global Reach Challenge said: “Sir Ranulph Fiennes is the world’s greatest living explorer. He has inspired many for generations with his perseverance and dedication, and has pushed himself to the extreme to complete some of the world’s most gruelling and difficult challenges. He has shown that to succeed in remote areas requires not only tremendous ambition but also detailed local knowledge and expertise - so he surrounds himself with a strong team, all experts in their field. TMF Group understands this too, and is excited to be part of the Global Reach Challenge team.”
Sir Ranulph has raised £18m in total for charity and aims to raise £20m for good causes in his lifetime.
All donations will go to Marie Curie. The costs of the challenge are being covered by the generous sponsorship of long-term benefactor Paul Sykes and corporate sponsor TMF Group.
To support Sir Ranulph’s Global Reach Challenge in aid of Marie Curie go to www.justgiving.com/Ranulph .
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Updated
Notes to editor
Marie Curie – care and support through terminal illness
Please note – we are now called ‘Marie Curie’ (not Marie Curie Cancer Care)
Marie Curie is the UK’s leading charity for people with any terminal illness. The charity helps people living with a terminal illness and their families make the most of the time they have together by delivering expert hands-on care, emotional support, research and guidance.
For more information on Marie Curie and Sir Ranulph’s support visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/ranulph .
Further information about Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ Challenge
Sir Ranulph is attempting to become the first person to have crossed both polar ice caps (by traversing the Arctic Ocean and crossing the Antarctic continent) and climb the highest peaks on each of the seven continents. He was, in 2009, the first person to cross both ice caps and summit Everest. In 1982 Sir Ranulph circumnavigated the world on its polar axis during a three year trans-globe expedition travelling solely by sea and land on a route that has never been repeated, with Charles Burton.
* Sir Ranulph has also previously climbed Mount Kosciuszko in Australasia, which is included on some lists of each continent’s highest mountains in place of Carstensz Pyramid.
Breakdown of the Global Reach Challenge:
Peak/Continent
Aconcagua, South America (Argentina) - climbing Jan 2017
Mount Carstensz, Australasia (Indonesia) - Climbing April 2017
Denali, North America (Alaska) - Climbing May 2017
Mount Vinson, Antarctica - Completed Dec 2016
Mount Elbrus, Europe (Russia) - Completed July 2016
Mount Everest, Africa (Nepal) - Completed in 2009
Mount Kilimanjaro, Asia (Tanzania) - Completed in 2004
Mount Kosciuszko, Australasia (Australia) - Completed in 2015
Crossed polar ice caps - Completed in 1982
SPONSORS
Paul Sykes
Paul Sykes, long time benefactor of Sir Ranulph, is sponsoring the Global Reach Challenge, in aid of Marie Curie.
TMF Group
TMF Group are the headline corporate sponsor of the Sir Ranulph Fiennes Global Reach Challenge.
With operations in more than 80 countries providing global business services, TMF Group is the global expert that understands local needs. TMF Group helps global companies expand and invest seamlessly across international borders. Its expert accountants and legal, HR and payroll professionals are located around the world, helping clients to operate their corporate structures, finance vehicles and investments in different locations. www.tmf-group.com
Inmarsat
Inmarsat is sponsoring the Global Reach Challenge’s satellite communications.
Inmarsat plc is the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications services. Since 1979, Inmarsat has been providing reliable voice and high-speed data communications to governments, enterprises and other organisations, with a range of services that can be used on land, at sea or in the air. Inmarsat employs around 1,600 staff in more than 60 locations around the world, with a presence in the major ports and centres of commerce on every continent. Inmarsat is listed on the London Stock Exchange (ISAT.L).
LEAR Fitness
LEAR Fitness is sponsoring the oxygen required for the Global Reach Challenge.
LEAR Fitness offers a new, unique approach to health and well-being. Its aim is to support clients to achieve their own personal lifestyle goals, following on from major surgery, training for specific sports events, or maintaining their level of health and fitness in a welcoming, supportive environment with fully qualified team. Offering a range of services from physiotherapy and physio-led reformer and mat classes, personal training, nutritional advice, fitness classes, indoor cycling studio, LEAR Fitness clients have access to professionals to help them restore and maintain the level of fitness they need. Currently with two purpose-built centres in Leamington Spa and Harrogate, LEAR Fitness has plans to open its third centre within the next 12 months.
Berghaus
Berghaus has supplied Sir Ranulph Fiennes with its performance clothing.
Founded in North East England in 1966, Berghaus is the UK’s leading brand of performance clothing, footwear and equipment for outdoor activities such as mountaineering, rock climbing, hiking and adventure racing, and for general outdoor use. During five decades, Berghaus has been responsible for introducing many new innovations to the market and continues to develop kit that is right at the cutting edge. Berghaus regularly equips some of the world’s greatest adventurers as they explore the planet, from the top of Everest to Antarctica, and tropical forests in Venezuela to the Atacama Desert in Chile. To find out more about Berghaus visit www.berghaus.com and www.facebook.com/berghaus, or follow @TheRealBerghaus on Twitter.