Trellick Tower, North Kensington, London
On 13 June, JLS will go over the edge of London’s Trellick Tower in support of Everest In A Day - a unique fundraising event for the youth charities MyGeneration and BSES (British Schools Exploration Society).
The idea behind Everest In A Day is simple. Take 100 people; have them climb the 31 stories of Trellick Tower, one of London's biggest landmarks, and then abseil 322 feet down with the help of the British Army. A 322 foot drop done by 100 people is 32,200 feet. That's more than 2,000 feet higher than Mount Everest.
Speaking about the event, London Mayor Boris Johnson said, "I wholeheartedly support any initiative that gives much needed help and support to young people in our city. If there is one thing I want to achieve as Mayor, it is for our city to be the place where young people, whatever their background, have the best chance of prospering in life. I applaud the efforts of MyGeneration, one of the many unsung heroes who are making a difference to young people's lives every day."
Everest In A Day is open to anybody 18 years of age and older and no abseiling experience is necessary. A smaller training wall (much smaller!) will also be available on-site. All abseiling will be directed by the British Army’s 29 Cdo Regiment , spearhead troops trained as amphibious, mountain and arctic warfare specialists.
The event will support the Next Generation project. This is a joint initiative between MyGeneration and BSES that allows disadvantaged young people a fully mentored and supported 10 month programme of outdoor and expedition related skills training, culminating in a five-week wilderness expedition. Next Generation trips have taken London youth to places such as Madagascar and the Amazon Rain Forest in Peru.
“Everest In A Day is about much more than abseiling off Trellick Tower to raise cash for young people in our city,” said Shaun Bailey, Director of MyGeneration. “We are helping the kids to develop transferable attitudes as well as transferable skills. With so much set against kids these days, this event is about helping them succeed.” Issuing a challenge to Londoners to get involved in Everest In A Day to help young people, Bailey said, “We want to send you down, so that they can go up.”
Individual participants are required to commit to raising a minimum of £250 in sponsorship which will be split between the organising charities MyGeneration and BSES.
Interested participants can find out more and register for last minute places at www.everestinaday.com