Iceland’s executive chairman Richard Walker has reached the summit of Mount Everest.
Walker undertook the challenge to raise £1 million for The National Brain Appeal, to build the world’s first rare dementia support centre.
The boss of the frozen goods retailer is well on his way to reaching his charity donation target, having raised over £500,000 already.
Walker set out on this expedition in memory of his mum, the late Lady Walker, who was diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s over a decade ago.
He completed the journey up the tallest mountain in the world alongside world leading mountaineer Kenton Cool, who has now summitted Everest a record 17 times.
Iceland colleagues have been participating in fundraising activities, including sky dives, bungee jumps and hikes equivalent to the distance travelled up Everest.
The funds raised will go towards the creation of the world’s first centre of excellence for supporting those living with inherited, atypical and young onset dementias and their families.
The CEO first revealed he was doing the significant climb in February.
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The Iceland Foods Charitable Foundation (IFCF) has already raised over £17 million to help diagnose dementia sooner, find better treatments, and one day find a cure.
Richard Walker said: “This was my biggest challenge yet, our journey was tough and exhilarating but worth every second to raise critical funds for such a worthwhile cause.
“It means so much to me to have already raised £500,000 for the National Brain Appeal to create the world’s first Rare Dementia Centre.
“I know first-hand from my mum’s diagnosis how important this will be to so many people living with dementia and their families. This was what kept me going with every step on my journey.”
He added: “I am also so appreciative of my colleagues in store who are helping me reach our £1 million target, they are all so inspiring and I can’t wait to get back home and see what fundraising activities they will still be getting up to over the next couple of months.”
Richard’s father, Iceland founder Sir Malcolm Walker, commented: “I couldn’t be prouder of Richard for completing this truly awesome feat of mountaineering skill and sheer physical endurance,”
“Richard has put his life on the line in memory of his mum and I hope that his great achievement will inspire many more donations to help him towards his fundraising target of £1m.”
