Damian Walters aims to raise £100,000 for Furniture Makers’ Company

Chief executive of the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) Damien Walters is aiming to raise £100,000 for The Furniture Makers’ Company by scaling Mount Everest in 2017.

The Furniture Makers’ Company is the furnishing industry’s charity and companies who wish to donate to the cause can sponsor the ascent, with a logo or name printed on the flag which will be planted at the summit.

Starting in April with a trip to Kathmandu in Nepal, Walters will then fly to the Himalayan village of Lukla, pass through the foothills before arriving at Everest base camp.

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He will spend around 3-4 weeks acclamitising to the high altitude before the climb up the South East ridge of Everest.

An experienced member of the mountaineering community, Walters first attempted Everest in 2010 but was forced to abandon the climb at 27,500ft due to severe altitude sickness.

He commented on the challenge: “Going back is an absolute must as I see this personally as unfinished business. As a corporate liveryman of The Furniture Makers’ Company, I am a huge supporter of the crucial work that it performs in the areas of welfare and education in particular. The opportunity of raising money for the charity is more than enough reason to tackle the mountain again.”

Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company Ben Burbidge said: “We’ve all seen the film and heard stories about the perils of climbing Mount Everest, but when you hear of someone you know climbing it, the sheer magnitude of the challenge hits home. We’re deeply indebted to Damian for committing to raise such a substantial sum for the charity. Everyone at The Furniture Makers’ Company wishes him a safe trip there and back again.”