The long and winding road to Everest 2015 is getting shorter!

Been looking forward to posting this blog for a while!! Epic news folks and I’m absolutely buzzing to be sharing it with you. Especially to be in this position with a good few months still to go before heading off to Everest again so I can focus on the cause and getting myself in peak condition.

I am utterly humbled yet ecstatic to announce my new major sponsors in that I have become ‘Active Lifestyle Ambassador’ for Northwich-based charity Active Cheshire with the aim to engage, inspire and help people to develop healthy active habits.

In doing so, Active Cheshire have now become my joint head sponsors of my Everest 2015 expedition alongside Westgrove Group in Warrington who specialise in bespoke cleaning and security services, for which I already have a proud role of Young Ambassador. So I now have my two major sponsors secured, contributing hugely towards my expedition costs, and Everest 2015 is closer to reality than ever!!

Photobombed by Active Archie?!

Anne Boyd, CEO of Active Cheshire, added: “Alex is a fantastic example of someone who discovered sport and physical activity relatively late, but has gone on to change his life – so is perfectly placed to become our Active Lifestyles Ambassador.  As part of our team, he will inspire Cheshire residents to adopt healthy lifestyles and help us reach our target of 50,000 more people, more active, more often by 2017.

We are honoured to be entering into this unique partnership with Westgrove, and are all looking forward to what we will achieve together.”

I’m extremely humbled and grateful for the support of two such prominent organisations, who both share my passion for helping others to achieve their potential. Whilst not everyone wants to climb to the top of the world, we all have our own Everest and through Active Cheshire and Westgrove, and as a Cheshire resident myself, I am so excited to help people to fulfil their potential in all areas of life. It’s what I’ve been passionate about for years and what fuels me. So this is an amazing opportunity that allows me to get the message out there and change lives in my local area whilst pursuing my dream. That is totally unique and I couldn’t ask for a better partnership.

Steve Fives, Chairman of The Westgrove Group, who are major sponsors for both Cheshire Phoenix basketball and Chester FC teams has kindly said: “We are absolutely thrilled to partner Active Cheshire as head sponsors for Alex’s EPIC7 challenges and Everest15 expedition.

As Westgrove’s Young Ambassador we have witnessed first-hand the positive impact Alex has had on our colleagues and partners lives when he describes his journey within the motivational speeches he delivers within our community. The synergies with Active Cheshire and their key objectives of encouraging the Cheshire population to become more physically active could not be closer or more relative to Alex’s story.”

…. Well, there you have it! For what was otherwise a typical morning routine in the office- coming downstairs to the laptop and my nutritionally-measured bowl of Porridge and coffee before heading off to training- I have never been so excited! It felt like Christmas had come early to be able to announce this to the world. I am awestruck and with a considerable amount of the funds needed for my expedition place next year now secured, I couldn’t be more grateful for the support in all corners from both Active Cheshire and Westgrove, personally, and financially. There’s more exciting announcements to be made very soon about a few other sponsors who will be joining my journey and still some work to be done with fundraising. It’s not over yet. But I’m extremely confident this is going to happen once again. I never thought I’d say that second time round, and on the way out of base camp this year, I thought I was going to struggle to get any financial support- let alone two head sponsors by October that are equally passionate about my journey.

In case you were wondering, as part of my EPIC7 ultra endurance challenges, next week is when I will embark on number 5, the ‘Three Peaks Cycle Challenge’, tackling the three highest peaks in the UK in three days, entirely solo/self supported with 425 miles of cycling in-between. It was due to be this week but I postponed due to a number of reasons- and as the torrential rain nearly knocked our conservatory down I think I’ve made a good decision for once. I’ll post a little blog with more info before I commence on Snowdon next Tuesday at midnight (i.e. Monday night). I’m feeling quite confident but only with my experience on Chester to Chamonix; 8 days, 878 miles, 27,678ft vertical ascent, self-supported.

Until then- keep active folks!

Aut Inveniam Aut Faciam- I shall either find a way or make one.

Alex