Meet our Everest Base Camp Pioneers: Asif Saghir

IKCA Everest Base Camp team member Asif Saghir who hails from Manchester, got back to us on his experience with regards to the climb, his decision to take the challenge and what he plans to do next!?

Remember the summer when I first started out on this trekking game? That climb up Snowdon was my first ever. Everest seemed a mile away from anything I thought I could achieve at that stage?

With your support and well wishes I was able to not only attempt but also successfully complete the Everest Base Camp Challenge as planned in October 2018. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this all possible.

It was a more than satisfying experience and made me proud to have done this with no health or any other setbacks whatsoever and enjoyed it every step of the way. Allah ka Shukr!

Looking back, it has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. With temperatures nearing -17 degrees below freezing at Base Camp, what ultimately kept me going was your kind support and donations. As a reminder, the whole purpose for this was to raise money for the Imran Khan Cancer Appeal (UK) to save lives. What this now means is that using the money from your generous donations enables those precious lives to be treated from cancer. Also, with you being part of this epic journey with me together has meant that this accomplishment is something that will live with both of us forever and I am grateful to you for that.

I am so pleased with the fund raising too – over £10.5K raised (including gift aid and offline donations – all genuine and receipted) plus made new friends along the way. Insha’Allah there will be more to add to that total.

What’s next?

I always wanted to sponsor a patient if possible for a complete recovery from start to end and I will work closely with the charity to do that. As and when I get further updates, I will be in touch again so that you can see for yourself what will hopefully be a smile on a person whose life has been saved from cancer through treatment. Watch this space.

For those who wish to donate for the first time (or even more) then online donations can still be made here. Your (continued) support is invaluable!

Download the info pack Asif prepared detailing his account of the entire EBC trip, by clicking on the icon below: