An Aberdeen woman has raised an impressive £8,783.09 for AberNecessities to support children living in poverty, after completing a remarkable journey to climb 5,600 metres to a peak above Everest Base Camp.
Adele Mair, a fitness enthusiast from Aberdeen, chose this mountainous adventure to challenge herself while supporting local families. Over two weeks, she trekked to the summit of Kala Patthar, a high-altitude challenge that offered stunning views of Mount Everest. Accompanied by fellow adventurers and local guides, Adele climbed by day and night, allowing stops for acclimatisation.
Adele selected AberNecessities, a children’s charity, as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts. She is thrilled with the amount raised, which includes generous donations from her workplace, Gibb Group (£400), and The Clarkson Foundation (£500).
“I’m overwhelmed by the support from my friends, family, and colleagues. I chose AberNecessities because I want to help improve the lives of children and young people facing poverty.”
Departing from Edinburgh to Kathmandu, Nepal on Friday, March 29th, Adele underwent intense training, giving up alcohol in 2024 and tackling several Munros. She also dedicated time to indoor training on the StairMaster, spending over an hour climbing without a break. “I felt my legs were ready!” she said.
Adele explained her motivation: “It’s always something I have wanted to do. Some family members have done it, and I was speaking to my Dad last year, and he said he always wanted to do Kilimanjaro and regretted not doing it. So I thought—there is no better time than now to do it, while I am physically fit.”
Adele chose to support a local charity after learning more about the poverty rate in her area: “I wanted to work with a local charity and know where the money would go and how it would help and benefit people in this area. No child chooses their circumstances, and it is important to support those in need. I thought if I can do something to help children less fortunate, then I wanted to do that. I didn’t realise how high the poverty rate was in our local area until I read AberNecessities’ website and saw the stats. It definitely confirmed I made the best choice in choosing to support AberNecessities. The charity does such a great job and helps so many children and families.”
Danielle Flecher-Horn, the founder of AberNecessities, expressed her admiration for Adele: “We are so impressed by Adele’s energy and determination. She is an inspiration, and we eagerly followed her progress. We are humbled by her choice to support AberNecessities out of a desire to improve the lives of local children. We are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported her in this fantastic challenge.”
Reflecting on her journey, Adele said, “The first time I set eyes on Mount Everest, I felt like I almost had a lump in my throat. The whole experience was just amazing. Every day was different, every day presented a new challenge, and you met new people all the time.”
Having reached 5,600 metres, Adele had a special surprise for her fellow climbers. “I managed to fit in a Saltire, so I proudly waved the Scottish flag at the top, no matter how tired I was, I was always going to do that.” she revealed.
When asked what’s next, Adele said, “I would like to do a 6,000-metre peak. As much as I was challenged, I feel I could push myself more. I have been looking at Lobuche East in Nepal, and I think that is the one I will go for next.”
Adele Mair’s daring adventure not only highlights her personal determination but also brings significant support to children in need.
