On 27 October James Webley and Charlotte Radovanovic are set to climb the gruelling height of Mount Everest Base Camp in memory of past and present veterans who have served for our country, for those who live daily with the mental and physical consequences of their service and as well as those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

All funds from their expedition will be donated to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham Charity and The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. The two have set the fundraising goal of £2,000 and have already raised £970.

James will be representing the Armed Forces veteran community. After having served for 12 years his military career unfortunately ended due to chronic hip pain brought on by his military service.

Charlotte said: “James’ determination to not let this affect his life, dreams and goals is inspiring. This will be a huge challenge for him being in constant pain every day, but I have no doubt that he’ll battle through the journey and probably end up pulling me up the mountain!”.

Charlotte, an Ophthalmology Research Project Manager at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham will be representing the medical community. Both charities were chosen due to performing “truly life-altering work with their funds raised” they said.

Their self-funded expedition will take place in the Khumbu Region of the Himalayas where they will begin their 16 day journey to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 metres altitude which is roughly four times the height of Scotland’s Ben Nevis! Once they have reached their destination they will perform a ceremony at 11:00 AM Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) on Sunday 11 November - a poignant date as it coincides with the centenary year of Armistice Day that took place in November 1918.

Charlotte and James have also expressed their plans to engage with the Royal Gurkha Rifles, to help emphasise the sacrifices made by the Gurkha soldiers who fought and served alongside the British. Charlotte said: “We’re hoping to have Gurkha veterans at the base camp service with us and we’re waiting to hear back from Guinness World Records to see if we can get a world record for the highest ever Remembrance Day service held!”.

Justine Davy, Head of Fundraising at QEHB Charity, said: “I am delighted that the Charity has been chosen by James and Charlotte. This is an extraordinary challenge and I wish them the best of luck! I look forward to hearing about their expedition and the positive impact their money will have on the patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham”.

To support James and Charlotte in their endeavour to climb Mount Everest, please click here.

And to find out more about the hospital charity please click here.

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