Mount Everest Window Cleaner

Nick said: Cleaning windows day in day out does help you keep fit.

Knaresborough window cleaner treks to Everest base camp in Nepal in aid of Henshaws Society for Blind People: A Knaresborough window cleaner more used to going up ladders has been experiencing dizzy heights, clambering up Mount Everest.

Adventurous Nick Brown took on an arduous 14-day trek in Nepal in aid of Henshaws Society for Blind People, as he cleans the windows of the charity’s Arts & Crafts Centre in Bond End, Knaresborough.

The challenge was extra tough for Nick, as he had absolutely no experience of hiking. Despite being struck down with food poisoning six days into the trip to Everest Base Camp, the 51 year old, of Park Avenue, Knaresborough, crossed the finish line safe and sound during the trip of a lifetime to the Himalayas.

Nick learned about how Henshaws helps blind, visually impaired and disabled people and their families when he began cleaning windows at the centre in 2010. In 2011, he raised £200 in sponsorship for Henshaws when he took part in the Great Yorkshire Bike Ride. This July, Nick raised £250 for the charity when he agreed to wear a yeti outfit at the Benfield Skoda car dealership in Knaresborough Road, Harrogate, when the Tour de France was on.

It was Nick’s friend Patrick Linnane, a 49-year-old builder, of Knaresborough, who suggested to Nick that they take on the Everest challenge and they booked their trip in July 2013. Despite having 16 months to prepare for the adventure, Nick did not do any extra exercise, but said his regular window cleaning rounds helping him get ready. One of the ten trekkers in Nick’s group had to turn back due to altitude sickness, while Nick himself dug deep to battle on despite suffering from food poisoning.

Nick said one of the highlights of the trip, which took place in November, was meeting Nepalese people, including porters, guides and others. Nick has so far raised about £3,000 for Henshaws and is still collecting donations. The Knaresborough branch of Halifax, in Market Place, is collecting donations and branch managers have kindly agreed to double the amount raised. You can also donate by visiting this link.  Nick said: I am so grateful to those who have supported me with fundraising.

To reach the magic £5,000 mark would be a dream come true.”

Nick said: It was an unbelievable experience and something that I will always remember. The scenery is mind blowing and photographs and documentaries simply cannot do it justice. I am delighted to have done it in aid of such a great cause. Nick said: Cleaning windows day in day out does help you keep fit. It was a very difficult trek though – seven days up and seven days down.

It was hard, but I just had to go on. There was no way you could just stop because you felt sick. I just tried to put it out of my mind.