Students from the University of Reading Malaysia (UoRM) will raise cash for earthquake-hit Nepal by climbing Southeast Asia's highest peak.
Twenty staff and students aim to conquer Mount Kinabalu, known as one of the hardest climbs in the region. They plan to raise RM30,000 for the Nepal Red Cross Society (more than £5,000).
Mount Kinabalu, in Sabah, Borneo, stands at 4,095m and is the highest mountain between the Himalayas and New Guinea. On 16 and 17 July 2016, the team will battle the effects of altitude and exhaustion to reach the summit.
The money raised will go direct to the NRCS to fund vital rebuilding work in Nepal. Additional sponsorship is also being sought to fund flights and accommodation.
President of the UoRM Adventure Club and Mount Kinabalu Challenge organiser, student Yovindra Kanezin, said:
"Nepal is close to the hearts of students and staff at UoRM.
"On April 25th 2015, a group of our students boarded a plane to Kathmandu to present funds they had raised for the children of Nepal. Before the plane landed, news broke that Nepal had experienced a life shattering earthquake.
"Luckily, the students' plane was turned back and they returned safely to their loved ones. However, the people of Nepal were not so lucky. 8,856 people were killed, 22,309 were injured and more than 800,000 houses were damaged or destroyed. One year on, only 10% of homes have been rebuilt and millions of survivors continue to live in temporary shelters.
"We urge our supporters to help us rebuild the lives of the people of Nepal."
UoRM Provost, Professor Tony Downes said:
"I am proud of our students and staff for taking on this challenge for the people of Nepal. The student's sense of global community should be greatly admired – I encourage us all to give them our support."
Supporters can donate online at: https://www.ammado.com/community/uorm-kinabalu-challenge2016
For more information, contact:
Rebecca Thould, Director of Marketing: r.thould@reading.ac.uk
Yovindra Yanezin, Challenge organiser: y.kanezin@student.reading.ac.uk