On Top of the World
In aid of the RAF Association Wings Appeal “I felt really good – excited, confident and fit”
A
fter an epic six weeks of climbing, former Red Arrow, Sqn Ldr Graham Duff, has achieved the
challenge of his lifetime to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
Graham climbed Everest as part of an ongoing ambition to conquer the seven highest peaks and to raise money for the RAF Wings Appeal.
If he achieves his aim he will become one of fewer than 200 people, and the only member of the UK’s armed forces, to do so. Having bagged Everest, Graham has four of the seven peaks to go.
Graham describes the feeling on reaching the top: “The climb on summit day started just after 9pm. I actually felt really good – excited, confident and fit.
“I reached the base of the summit pyramid at about 2am. From there on there were so many false peaks, it took me a further four hours to
reach the summit ridge, probably only about 100m away. I’d been on my second oxygen bottle for quite a while at that point but it didn’t matter, I had to reach the top.
“We reached the summit at about 6am. I was happy, but I had physically given everything. It’s difficult to describe the feelings: exhausted beyond normal, hypoxic, starving, dehydrated, excited, elated, flippin’ cold and finished.”
Rachel Huxford, Director of Fundraising at the Association said; “What Graham has achieved is fantastic and we are extremely proud that he has chosen us as his charity for the challenge. We’d like to say a big thank you and a huge well done to Graham.”
Graham added: “The Wings Appeal is a cause close to my heart as one of the things the RAF Association is aiming to do is raise money to allow Servicemen and women to call home more often when on ops. Having been away many times myself, I know how important it is to speak to your family and the entitlement from the government on the satellite phone just isn’t enough.”
The RAF Wings Appeal has a number of organised challenge events people can take part in. Why not take on an experience or adventure of a lifetime and raise money for the charity at the same time! Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, trek the Inca Trail or take on the Great Wall of China. There is a range of opportunities to choose and something to suit all abilities.
To find out more contact Lorna Tagg at
lorna.tagg@rafa.org.uk
www.raf-ff.org.uk
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