Two brothers from Hoole tackled the gruelling conditions of the Himalayas to raise money for children with life limiting illnesses.
James Briggs, 27, a pilot who lives in Hong Kong and his younger brother, Tom, 25, have raised almost £2,000 for Destination Florida after scaling the base camp of Mount Everest.
The pair took on the 15-day courageous feat for the charity which supports young people with life-limiting illnesses and sends children and teenagers, who have been unable to go on holiday due to illness, to Florida for a week.
Standing at 5,380m, the camp is five times higher than Mount Snowdon.
The brothers' mum Jo Briggs, who runs the Kilmorey Lodge guest house in Hoole, was introduced to the charity 16 years ago and has raised money year on year to provide a once-in-a-lifetime holiday for disadvantaged children.
Her youngest son, Tom, director of Baytree Loge, a Guest house in Hoole, has also been a volunteer for the charity for six years.
Jo said: “They saw me fundraising and taking children away on holiday every year when they were growing up and always said they wanted to do it themselves when they were old enough.
“Over the years, they have taken part in 10k runs, half marathons, and all kind of things to fund-raise for the charity but it is becoming increasingly difficult, especially when you have to ask the same people each year.
“This year they wanted to do something out of the ordinary so they decided to trek Everest Base Camp with four of James' friends from Hong Kong.
“They set off on October 30 from Lukia and trekked through the Himalayas to base camp. It’s had a fantastic response.
“I’m really looking forward to hearing all about their adventure.”
Jo explained children who are involved with Destination Florida are usually ‘very poorly’.
“These children would never get medical insurance to go away anywhere, they all have very complicated medical needs,” she added.
“Destination Florida gives these children a chance to have a week away from their parents with trained medical staff.
“I just love to see how these children evolve and grow in the week I’m away with them. It gives them an opportunity to have a week in their lives where all their dreams come true.
“It makes you look at life differently and makes you realise that you have nothing to complain about.”
Following their fundraising trek, the Suburbs cocktail bar in Hoole has donated £500 and will also donate 20 per cent of the bar’s takings raised on the pair’s welcome home party next week to celebrate their achievement.
Jo added: “We feel The Suburbs have gone above and beyond anything we could have dreamed of.”
The event will be held on November 25 at The Suburbs.
