Team to tackle Everest challenge for skin cancer patients

A committed team of patients and hospital staff from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham are preparing to take on an epic challenge to mark Skin Cancer Awareness Month this May. The team, led by Roger Calow who has been treated for skin cancer at QEHB, are going to climb the equivalent height of Mount Everest by walking from the ground to the seventh floor at the hospital!

The team are going to take it in turns to climb up to the top of the hospital and back down as many times as possible, where a total of 230 ascents are needed to make the goal of 8,480 metres it promises to be a gruelling challenge for Roger and the team. As well as raising the profile of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, the team will be raising money for QEHB Charity, to further fund research into skin cancer at the hospital.

This is not the first time that Roger has set his heights on Mount Everest for a fundraising challenge. Roger, a retired teacher from Herefordshire, previously cycled up the formidable Bealach Na Ba in Wester Ross, Scotland a total of 15 times to match the equivalent height of Mount Everest.

Roger took on this exceptional challenge whilst receiving treatment for a brain tumour at the hospital and, despite not being able to drive, managed to complete this incredible challenge. Roger said: “I really enjoyed taking on the Everest challenge on my bike back in 2015 and I was delighted to be able to raise money to support the hospital that looked after me so well.

“My inspiration, in part, came from my treatment on Cyberknife, the state-of-the-art piece of equipment that was funded by the Charity. I wanted to prove to myself that I could complete this challenge, despite all that was happening to me.”

Nearly three years on, Roger is now limbering up to take on ‘Mount Everest’ once more, and is looking forward to the challenge: “My cycling challenge was a rather lonely effort, so I wanted to do something that other people could get involved with. I love the thought of climbing Everest, so I thought it would be a great idea to climb it from the safety of the hospital. I visit the hospital every three weeks and so have come to know and love the hospital and I really enjoy talking to the staff, especially those on Ward 621.

“I’m looking forward to being joined on the day by supporters and friends, and of course members of staff from the hospital. It will be a fantastic day full of team spirit, raising money and awareness for such an important cause.”
Rachel Learmonth, Senior Fundraiser at QEHB Charity said: “Everyone at QEHB Charity is in awe of Roger and his commitment to fundraising. I’m really looking forward to joining Roger for the Everest challenge and helping him reach his target! The money that is raised will help the Charity to continue to support research into skin cancer here at the hospital.”

If you would like to join Roger on 15 May and help him reach the top of Mount Everest, contact rachel.learmonth@uhb.nhs.uk for more information. Or to donate to Roger’s fundraising campaign please click here.

To find out more about how QEHB Charity supports research into skin cancer, click here.