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
Morrisons has launched a nationwide search for its first-ever Chief Doughnut Tester
Emily Sergeant
Today is National Doughnut Day, and to celebrate, Morrisons is on the look-out for one sweet treat fan to take on a new role.
That’s right – today (5 June) is National Doughnut Day, and Morrisons is officially on the hunt for the nation’s ultimate doughnut devotee with the launch of its brand-new (and delicious) role, The Chief Doughnut Tester – with all glaze enthusiasts, sprinkle connoisseurs, and jam-filled aficionados urged to get applying.
The search is on to crown one lucky fan who’ll take on the dream job of taste-testing their way through the supermarket‘s range of doughnuts.
The Chief Doughnut Tester is more than just a title, Morrisons says it’s ‘serious business’.
Morrisons has launched a nationwide search for its first-ever Chief Doughnut Tester / Credit: Morrisons
The new hire will be tasked with taste-testing doughnuts before they hit the shelves, giving verdicts on new flavours and textures, all in the name of research.
The role will also involve teaming up with Morrisons’ internal doughnut-expert team to develop new and limited-edition treats that’ll be in stores next year.
Crowned as the nation’s definitive doughnut authority, the selected winner won’t just earn the title of Chief Doughnut Tester, they’ll also receive the ultimate of sweet perks – a year’s free supply of Morrisons fresh doughnuts, which the retailer sells more than 1.1 million of weekly.
Aspiring Chief Doughnut Testers can apply on the Morrisons website here, by filling in a short 200-words about why’re the ideal candidate.
Applications close at midnight tonight (Friday 5 June), so you’ll need to be quick.
Featured Image – Annie Spratt (via Unsplash)
Trending
First-ever JD Wetherspoon pub to open at Manchester Airport
Danny Jones
In news that we feel many Mancs and travellers all-round have been waiting on for a long time, the well-known British chain, JD Wetherspoon, will be opening its first-ever pub at Manchester Airport.
That’s right: soon that first airport pint of the holiday could actually be a relatively cheap one.
While Wetherspoons are no strangers to popping up in terminals across the UK and Ireland, they’ve never done so here in Manchester despite having three, yes THREE, in Gatwick alone.
Not for much longer, though, as soon T2 will be lending more than 3,000 square feet of its prime leisure and retail real estate to a new Greater Manchester ‘Spoons’.
Posting on social media, the airport wrote: “Wetherspoon comes to Manchester Airport this September! The pub will be located in the Terminal 2 Departures lounge and will have more than 300 seats.
“This will become the final major food and drink venue to open its doors as part of our decade-long £1.3bn transformation of Terminal 2. It will be named ‘The Belle Vue’, in a nod to Manchester’s historic showground [now a sports complex and leisure hub].
“It was a focal point for social life in the city from the Victorian period up until 2020, when the final event was held at Belle Vue stadium. The design of the pub is inspired by the history of Belle Vue and the sporting culture of the North West of England. We look forward to welcoming you all in September!”
While a lot of money has been pumped into T2’s refurb as a whole over the past few years, it remains unclear just how much this particular new addition will cost; we do know that great sums were set aside for the launch of the Great Northern Market last year.
The inaugural Manchester Airport Spoons is just the latest in a series of major renovations.
As mentioned, the company already operate several up and down the country – 10 airport pubs, to be specific – but this will be the first in the North West.
Speaking on the news, JD Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said in a statement: “We are looking forward to opening at Manchester Airport. We believe our new pub will prove popular with travellers of all ages and be an asset to the new terminal.”
With Manchester Airport adding a dozen new routes to its roster this summer, you can expect to see even more people flying in and out than ever – no doubt having already polished off a cut-price pint or two beforehand.
Emily Sergeant -
13th October 2020 
