Donard trek to help Nepal

Donard trek to help Nepal

6 May 2015

A GP who gets his mornings off to a start with a climb up Slieve Donard is putting his love of mountaineering to use in a special appeal for Nepal.

Dr Nigel Hart, who has fond memories of the country after climbing Everest, hopes to see a long line of people climbing Northern Ireland’s highest peak from dawn to dusk on Saturday in aid of its many earthquake victims.

The keen outdoorsman is a familiar face in Crossgar as a local GP and is also part of the academic staff at Queen’s University Medical School. 

He is leading a team of five organising the ‘Slieve Donard: Dawn to Dusk for Nepal’ event, including wife Caroline, a teacher and passionate mountaineer. 

Leaving on the hour every hour, those taking part can sign up for one — or more — of a series of ascents between 5am and 8pm on Saturday.

The aim is to show solidarity with the people of Nepal and raise money for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) who are tackling the aftermath of the April 25 earthquake, which killed over 7000 people and injured 14,000 more.

Nigel said he was deeply saddened to learn of Nepal’s worst natural disaster in 80 years.

“I have a very fond regard for the Nepalese people,” he said. “They are the most kind and generous people that I have ever met.

“As someone who has spent a great deal of time in Nepal over the years I have a sense of the impact this kind of natural disaster will have had on people living in the poorest circumstances imaginable. Many will have lost everything without the means to re-establish their home or be able to feed and care for their family. The scale of need is unimaginable — we can and have to do something to help.

“I thought, what can we do? Given my interest in mountains and the relevance of mountains to Nepal I thought of putting together an event where people could climb together to the summit of Slieve Donard, as a vigil to those who have lost their lives, in solidarity with those coping with the aftermath and as a way to raise money in support of the rescue and rebuilding effort. 

“We are asking people to book one of the hourly starting slots to commit to climb Slieve Donard with others. We will be there at the start at our Base Camp in Donard Park to see everyone off and ensure they get back safely”.

Nigel summited Everest as part of an international medical research expedition back in 2007, which examined the effects of low levels of oxygen on the body, and in 2012 undertook an Everest challenge closer to home by climbing Slieve Donard 10.4 times (equivalent to the height of Everest) to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer Care. 

In 2013 the keen runner and cyclist also completed a ‘circumnavigation’ of Belfast in a team of six on the longest night of the year, December 21, on bike, foot and sea kayak to raise money for the Northern Ireland Hospice.

Nigel described getting to the top of Everest as his toughest challenge and one “right at the edge of my abilities”. 

On the plus side, though, it is likely to put his frequent morning climbs to the top of Slieve Donard into perspective.

There’s no better way to start the morning, he argues, than being surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Mournes.

“It really sets you up for the day,” he said. “It makes the day so much more valuable.”

The non-stop father of three admits some of his family and friends thinks he is “mad”, but he is philosophical in response: “Everyone has their own way of getting moving.”

His friends also know he has several favourite sayings including “You never regret going out” and “You don’t have to be having fun, to be having fun”.

Those wishing to take part in the ‘Slieve Donard: Dawn to Dusk for Nepal’ event can book a slot at: http://tinyurl.com/lebjcdk.

Donations can me made at: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/dd2d4n and follow the team on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Donard-Dawn-to-Dusk-for-Nepal/1149669328392850