For three years the Active Unit has been working relentlessly towards an extraordinary goal: to put the first ever mixed Reservist team on the summit of the world’s highest peak.

Climbing Everest is a very serious undertaking and members of the Active Unit have been rigorously preparing, balancing their training with their ongoing Squadron and Regimental duties and day jobs. This has included undertaking a variety of intensive mountaineering courses, including two weeks in Chamonix last year, during which we successfully summitted Gran Paradiso (4,061m). Additionally, our team has committed to a schedule of fortnightly training on Tuesdays and weekends. Pictures of our training are shown below.

As we approach the critical phase of the Everest programme, we are reaching out for your support.

In October, a mixed team of 16 from across all the HAC’s sub-units, ranging from Trooper to Major, will journey to the Annapurna range in Nepal where they will attempt to climb Himlung Himal. Standing at 7,126m, this mountain represents a formidable challenge and serves as a crucial stepping stone towards our ultimate goal of Everest itself in 2025.

However, making these ambitious two expeditions happen requires significant financial resources - we need to raise £237,000. After taking into account personal contributions from the participants, funds from various organisations across Defence and corporate sponsorship, there remains a shortfall which we hope the members would consider helping to meet.

Any donation you are able to make towards the cost of these two expeditions and helping us achieve our aims would be immensely appreciated and also allow the HAC to achieve this remarkable challenge. Our initial milestone is to raise £65,000 by 1st October and your contribution will be vital in making our vision a reality.

Donations can be made via BACS to the HAC (details below) including EVEREST in the reference.

Sort Code: 60-00-01
Account No: 09526323

Alternatively, donations can be made via a JustGiving page here: https://gofund.me/aa24475c

For cheques, please make them payable to the Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) and on the back of the cheque write HAC EVEREST. Please send cheques to the company office at Armoury House, City Road, London, EC1Y 2BQ.

Similarly, if members have suggestions for corporate sponsors or other funding avenues worth pursuing, we would very much welcome your expertise. Please email: 5521matthe@armymail.mod.uk if you have any suggestions.

Lastly, please look out for a number of social events we are planning over the coming months, which we hope will give members the opportunity to learn more about the Everest project from those involved – this will include a drinks evening in September.

Thank you very much in advance for your support,