Metropolitan Police Sgt Steve Kirwan has waited three long years to realise his 30 year dream to trek to Everest base camp – and he’s doing it to help children harmed by crime.
Steve (54) from Wickford in Essex, first signed up to trek to the base camp of the world’s highest mountain in 2019.
Unfortunately the Covid 19 pandemic meant his trip had to be postponed three times.
But now the police officer, who has spent much of his career investigating domestic abuse child exploitation and child abuse cases, is just over two weeks away from what he says will be one of the biggest challenges of his life.
He will set off to Nepal on October 21 for the 16-day trek for from Kathmandu to Everest base camp and back, visiting some of the highest villages in the world, and admiring sunrise over the Himalayan snow-capped peaks and Khumbu Glacier.
Steve said: “Over a two and a half year period I lost four people I was close to and it really makes you start to evaluate your life. Working as a police officer we are helping people every day but I wanted to do more. I wanted to do something that would really make a difference to helping those who really needed it.
“Back in 1997 I had cut out an advert from a children’s charity about a trek to Everest Base Camp because I really fancied doing it. I kept the advert for years but never did anything with it. Then after losing my aunt and my dad, a close friend and a colleague I decided it was time to look into actually achieving the challenge I’d always dreamed of.
“When I was gathering information on the internet I found the Embrace Everest film and I’d already heard of Embrace and the great work you do supporting young victims.
I decided to sign up for the trek to raise money for Embrace and after three years I’m looking forward to getting there, seeing all the stunning scenery and meeting other like-minded people.”
Steve has already taken part in a night climb to the Mount Snowdon summit as part of his training and has spent lots of time trekking with a backpack in the Malvern Hills. He has already raised over £1,200 for Embrace but is hoping to raise much more and has already signed up to climb Mount Kilimanjaro next year.
He said: “I want to carry on raising money for Embrace to support the charity’s work helping young crime victims and their families.”
Anne Campbell, Chief Executive of Embrace Child Victims of Crime said: “We are so grateful to Steven for choosing to support Embrace as he sets out on this once in a lifetime challenge. He has totally funded the trip himself and every penny he raises will go to providing vital services to vulnerable families. We wish him a fantastic trip and hopefully one free from altitude sickness. We could not help all the children and families we do without the fantastic efforts of fundraisers like Steve.”
To sponsor Steve visit: http://justgiving.com/Steven-Kirwan1
