Cyclist scales virtual Everest to raise funds for Foundation of Light after pandemic hit ride to Italy

Mark Nolan took on the vEverest Challenge in aid of the Black Cats’ official charity – a virtual 24-hour bike ride that is the equivalent of cycling all 29,000 feet of Mount Everest.

Mark, from Peterlee, has been a regular member of the Foundation’s annual Cycle Challenge team, pedalling great distances to raise money for the football club’s official charity.

With news that this year’s ride to Pisa had fallen victim to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mark set about looking for an alternative way to both support the Foundation and fill in his time.

As a result of more and more events being cancelled online and virtual alternatives growing increasingly popular, this is when Mark recalled reading about ‘vEveresting’:

“I have always been someone who enjoys a challenge.” Mark explained. “With this year’s Italian Cycle Challenge unfortunately not going ahead, I had to look for something else to challenge the body.

“I became aware of ‘vEveresting’ over the winter months, whilst training indoors, and always thought ‘no way’, but as the pandemic grew and events began to be cancelled it became the one big challenge that needed to be done.”

Mark took on the gruelling uphill challenge on Monday, June 1 raising almost £1,000 for a cause close to his heart.

“Without trying to be cheesy, I’m aware that charities are losing out all over the country this year and what better charity to try and help out whilst hopefully completing an epic challenge at the same time,” Mark added.

“My wife and I both live and work in the local community and regularly see first-hand the exceptional and far reaching work that the Foundation does.”

Mark is being sponsored by Hydraulic Technical Services (NE) Ltd and Norcam Hydraulic Services Ltd for the challenge.

Mark is just one of a nearly 60 cyclists taking on the Foundation’s Virtual Cycle Challenge during the month of June. Cyclists from across the region are aiming to complete 275 miles in four weeks, helping the charity to raise money for their ongoing work with communities across the region.

One of those signed up to the challenge is Olympic marathon runner and record holder, Aly Dixon, who has swapped her running shoes for cleats to support the cause.

Despite lockdown, the Foundation of Light, based at the Beacon of Light, has thought outside of the box to still deliver its services to families across Wearside.

To find out more about the Foundation of Light Virtual Cycle Challenge visit www.foundationoflight.co.uk.

To donate to Mark Nolan’s JustGiving page visit – https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mark-nolan22

It comes as we are running our #ActsofKindness campaign to highlight the good work being done in our communities at this time.

If you know someone who has gone above and beyond to help others, contact us on social media or email the newsdesk direct on [email protected]

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