Preparations have begun for a Belfast businessman who is set to go ‘stair crazy’ as he attempts to complete a mountainous challenge this June, to raise vital funds for the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity. 

Tom Smyth, Managing Director at Dream Apartments will be climbing the staircase equivalent of Mount Everest at Tower 42, a 183-metre-tall skyscraper in London. The building is one of the tallest in London with 932 steps to the top, which Tom will make his way up and down until he reaches the target elevation of 8,849m, over the course of seven hours.

Speaking ahead of the challenge, Tom said: “Even though it isn’t until 1st June, I have already started training because I need to get my mind and my body prepared for the session. Running up and down flights of stairs non-stop for seven hours might sound crazy to some people, but I’m really looking forward to the challenge.

“I’ve started using a stair-master every morning for three hours, and you’ll find me running office blocks when I’m at work in Belfast and Manchester between meetings. It is a big commitment, with the early starts and dedicating a lot of time to training, but it’s for such an important cause so I couldn’t be doing it for a better reason. I’m putting myself through this so I can raise as much money as possible for the Children’s Cancer Unit – so I hope people can get behind me, make a donation and help get me up those stairs!”

The Children’s Cancer Unit Charity is one of Northern Ireland’s leading organisations supporting families affected by childhood cancer. Established in 1984, the Charity funded the first and only dedicated Children’s Cancer & Haematology Unit at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. Today, between 60 – 70 children are diagnosed with cancer every year in Northern Ireland, with each of these children attending the Unit for specialist treatment and care.

Jane Hoare, Chief Executive Officer at the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity praised Tom’s arduous efforts. She added: “This is a huge challenge, and one we know takes a lot of dedication, commitment and preparation. Tom has also really thought outside the box – taking on something as major as Mount Everest, but completing it a little closer to home.

“Without fundraisers like this, we wouldn’t be able to carry out the important work of supporting our medical team and staff, families and children affected by cancer in Northern Ireland. We wish Tom all the very best for his big challenge and we’ll all be cheering him on back in Belfast at the Children’s Cancer Unit.”

For more information on the work of the Children’s Cancer Unit Charity, or to donate to Tom’s fundraiser visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/tom-smyth-childrenscancerunit.

ENDS