Preparing to take on the challenge of a lifetime, Tom Stephens is climbing to Everest Base Camp in memory of his late mum, Heather Stephens, to raise vital funds for Nightingale House Hospice.

Tom, a Regional Sales Manager at Siemens Healthineers, began his trek to Everest Base Camp on October 9th. The journey will take him to an altitude of 5,364 metres (17,598 ft), where the air contains only half the oxygen of sea level. He is self-funding the expedition, meaning every penny raised will go directly to supporting patients and families cared for by Nightingale House Hospice.

Tom’s mum, Heather, passed away in February at just 66 years old. Heather was a breast cancer nurse who dedicated her career to helping others and, before she became too unwell, she also volunteered at the Borras Nightingales charity shop.

Tom said: “Mum was the kindest and most compassionate person you could ever meet.

“She spent her life caring for others, so it’s only right that I do something to honour her memory and give something back to the hospice that cared for her.

“Losing her has left an enormous hole in our lives, but this challenge gives me a focus and a way to turn my grief into something positive.”

Heather received specialist care and support from Nightingale House Hospice during the final months of her life, accessing services including the Wellbeing Programme, which Tom said she “absolutely loved.”

Tom continued: “The care Mum received at Nightingale House was incredible.

“They didn’t just look after her, they cared for all of us.

“From the nurses who made sure we ate breakfast to the team who supported us emotionally, nothing was ever too much trouble.

“I’ll always be grateful for that.”

So far, Tom has raised over £5,000 through his JustGiving page, with donations continuing to climb as more people rally behind his cause, a testament to his challenge and the many lives his mum touched.

Tom said: “This climb will be one of the toughest things I’ve ever done, but it still won’t compare to the strength and resilience Mum showed during her illness.

“Every step I take will be for her, for the families like ours, and for the hospice that means so much to us.

“As one of my sons said, by climbing Everest I’ll be closer to Nana, and that thought will keep me going.”

Nightingale House Hospice provides free specialist care and support to people living with life-limiting illnesses, as well as their loved ones, across Wrexham, Flintshire, East Denbighshire, and parts of Shropshire.

Tom hopes his journey will inspire others to support the hospice’s work. He said: “Whether it’s the price of a coffee or something more, every donation makes a difference.

“Together, we can make sure Nightingale House continues to be there for others, just as it was for my mum and our family.”

Donations to Tom’s challenge can be made via his JustGiving page at bit.ly/Tom-EBC

 

Hollie Stephens and Tom Stephens climbing Snowden as part of Tom’s training for Everest Base Camp.