A former Commando in the Royal Marines is attempting to climb the equivalent of Mount Everest on a StairMaster to raise money for a very worthy cause.
And if that wasn’t enough of a gruelling challenge, he’s aiming to do it in less than 12 hours too.
After a career spent in the Royal Marines, Josh Griffin – a father of one from Manchester – is attempting a feat like nothing else he has faced before by attempting to reach what would be the equivalent to the summit of the tallest mountain in the world.
With travel restrictions amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic preventing a trip to Nepal though, he’s going to do it on StairMaster instead.
On average, it usually takes climbers around two months to summit Everest, but with factors such as high altitude and uncontrollable weather conditions out of the way, Josh is aiming to scale it in a fraction of the time.
ADVERTISEMENT
Behind what may initially seem like an extremely ambitious idea though, there’s a very important reason motivating him to completing this challenge. He has organised this mission to raise funds for Prostate Cancer UK, after his father was diagnosed with early stage Prostate Cancer back in 2018.
As described in the description of his GoFundMe page, Josh said: “Like many other families who have a loved one diagnosed with cancer, it came as a complete shock. Even though 1 in 2 people will get cancer, we never think it will be us or our loved ones,
ADVERTISEMENT
“With the amazing work that Prostate Cancer UK do, people like my Dad who are diagnosed now stand a better chance than ever of beating this terrible disease.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFPjmi7HFQ9/
A present, statistics show that one man dies from prostate cancer every hour in the UK and deaths are set to soar over the next decade. By finding better tests, better treatments, better prevention and better support, Prostate Cancer UK is aiming to dramatically reduce the number of lives lost to the disease each year.
“You can’t control everything that happens to you, but you can control the way you respond, and in your response is your greatest power” Josh added.
ADVERTISEMENT
Josh’s fundraising target is currently set at £5,000.
Speaking to The Manc ahead of the challenge – which is due to take place at Pure Gym in Moston on an unconfirmed date in the new year – Josh said: As a former Royal Marine, I’m used to pushing and testing my physical and mental limits,
“What I have planned [though] will be my single biggest feat of physical and mental fortitude to date,
“But I’m not doing this for me, I’m doing this to raise as much money as I can for a charity that means a great deal to my family and thousands more families throughout the UK.”
He added that he knows “the world is a crazy place right now and peoples income and finances have been hit hard”, but that “every donation no matter the amount” means a “great deal” to him, so if you are able to spare a few pounds towards what is an undoubtedly excellent cause, then you can donate to Josh Griffin’s GoFundPage page here.
ADVERTISEMENT
58,070 steps in less than 12 hours – it’s one heck of a challenge, but we reckon he’s up to it,
Good luck, Josh!
Trending
Dispute over Manichester now ‘resolved’, say Mounfield family
Danny Jones
The family of the late, great Manchester musician, Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, have said that the drama surrounding the highly-anticipated tribute festival in his name, Manichester, has now thankfully been settled.
Now the focus can once again return to remembering him as best as possible.
Following plenty of talk about the project following his passing late last year, a live music festival honouring Mani was finally confirmed in March, and the reaction following the event’s announcement has been unsurprisingly phenomenal.
Well, at least for the most part, as there was also some confusion over whether or not Manichester was still a charitable effort as advertised, with son Gene Mounfield disputing claims online. Fortunately, it all seems to have been put to bed now.
On behalf of the boys, and as their legal guardian, I want to thank everyone for the kind messages and concern for their wellbeing. There was a misunderstanding regarding the upcoming Manichester tribute concert, but we’re pleased to share that everything has now been resolved. pic.twitter.com/j8jEMrFzsD
Being organised by Madchester.com and locally-founded fashion label, GIOGOI, the debut edition was said to have the total blessing of Mani’s family, including his brother, Greg Mounfield.
It was also said that the funds raised by the show would be going to the legendary Stone Roses and Primal Scream bassists’ twins, George and Gene, but the latter recently argued that “nothing” was going to either him or his brother and that the news was “dropped” the plans just a fortnight prior.
Gene also said that “if it was a charity gig it would be at Co-op [Live] or Heaton Park, and it would be done by SJM [Concerts]”: a Manchester-based promoters and events company.
All of this was also wrapped up in ever more paper talk and sensationalism, as some were reporting that Noel and Liam Gallagher, as well as other members of Oasis, would be surprising fans as the still yet to be revealed ‘major headliner’.
These rumours have since been quashed, as has whatever miscommunication caused the misunderstanding between the parties concerned, and we are now back to simply looking forward to seeing an already stacked lineup here in the city centre this May.
Damon Minchella of Ocean Colour Scene (a fellow bassist who also tours with Richard Ashcroft) is helping organise and will also be performing on the night itself. As for the surviving Mounfields, they went on to add in an accompanying Instagram post: “We would also like to express our gratitude to PH.
“It means a great deal to all of us that so many people loved Mani enough to give their time and energy to honour his memory in this way. We are genuinely touched by the support.
“It has been an incredibly difficult few years for the boys and for our whole family. We hope this event will bring some much‑needed joy and create new, positive memories for everyone who cared about him.
“With love and thanks – The Family”
It goes without saying that we can’t wait for this city and Greater Manchester as a whole to honour a Manc icon and are looking forward to another year celebrating the thing that never fails to bring us all together: music.
Featured Images — livepict.com (via Wikimedia Commons)/Publicity pictures (supplied)
Trending
Sara Cox tipped to replace Scott Mills for Eurovision 2026
Danny Jones
Greater Manchester’s very own Sara Cox is reportedly set to replace Scott Mills at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest following his sacking from the BBC.
Mills was axed by the news and entertainment corporation on Monday, 1 April, for ‘misconduct’, which has now been revealed to involve a historic relationship with a boy aged under 16.
While the fallout surrounding Scott Mills is only just beginning, the task of finding his replacement in multiple roles has already begun – though it looks like one may have already been decided.
Now reported by multiple outlets, it appears as though Bolton-born Sara Cox is first in line to pick up Mills’ co-hosting duties for this year’s Eurovision show.
Having already been involved with coverage of the event on multiple ocassions in the past, it now appears that she’ll be in post for the Grand Final too.
As a long-standing radio and TV staple, it only takes a quick look at social media to see how much backing she has already received in the past, with a post from last year reading, “Great to have Sara Cox back commentating on Eurovision“, and others from over a decade ago praising her past presenting.
In fact, it might not end just here either, as many are already calling for her to replace the 53-year-old breakfast show host.
From her days as a Radio 1 favourite to becoming a BBC mainstay across the board, her popularity only seems to have grown over the last decade, especially thanks to her charity fundraising efforts.
While an official announcement is yet to be made, the feeling is that it is all but confirmed for her to take over from Mills as part of the Eurovision commentary team.
As for the now vacant early morning slot on BBC Radio 2, the likes of Claudio Winkleman, Vernon Kay, fellow Manc Nick Grimshaw, the aforementioned Rylan, and several others have all been floated as potential stand-ins/future full-time hosts.
Do you think both should be given to Sara Cox, and if not, who would you like to see replace Scott Mills?
Emily Sergeant -
13th October 2020 
