Richard to hike to Everest Base Camp to raise funds for wheelchair centre in Offaly

INTREPID Richard Ross, Manager of the Irish Wheelchair Association Centre in Ballinagar, is setting out on a major expedition to raise finance for vital works at the centre.

Richard plans to hike to Everest Base Camp and Island Peak in April. He has paid for the adventure himself so all funds raised will go directly to the centre.

The centre is badly in need of renovations, starting with the heating system which is on its knees.

Explained Richard: "We are also hoping to replace windows and doors. We are in for funding to help but we still need to raise in or around €15,000."

An experienced hiker, Richard has been to Scotland in recent weeks doing a Winter Skills Training course ran by Mountaineering Ireland in preparation for Nepal.

The training involved using crampons, ice axes and also rope work.

All of these skills are needed to attempt Island Peak.

He has also set up an iDonate page to try to raise funds for the centre and you support Everest Base Camp Challenge for IWA on iDonate.ie

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