Matthew Dieumegard-Thornton reaches summit of Mount Everest
Young mountaineer Matthew Dieumegard-Thornton has become one of the youngest British climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
Matthew, who turned 22 during his expedition, safely reached the top of the world’s highest mountain in the early hours of Saturday 19th May.
Matthew, of Sleaford, Lincolnshire, UK achieved the monumental feat to help raise awareness of global environmental and sustainability issues and to commemorate The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.
Matthew is raising money for international charity Global Angels to provide disadvantaged children and their communities with access to safe drinking water.
He was sponsored for his expedition by global digital services provider Yell.
Matthew’s successful attempt on the 8,848 metre summit started on 30th March and will end when he has safely returned to Base Camp, before the journey home to the UK. In the first few days of his climb, Matthew had to overcome a bout of laryngitis to stay on track. He also had to brave the risk of avalanches – one major avalanche in the notorious Khumbu Icefall wrecked the camp that he and his team had just left a few hours before.
Matthew followed the south eastern route taken by Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953 when he became the first man to reach the top of Mount Everest – three days before Queen Elizabeth’s coronation.
Matthew also climbed Everest to highlight the continuing fight against “environmental irresponsibility”, as an Ambassador of Climate Unchange, a global webshop that enables individuals and businesses – small and large – to offset their carbon footprints.
Due to high winds, Matthew was unable to make a phone call from the summit but his Mother, Nicolle, received confirmation later in the day that his climb had been successful.
Mike Pocock, Yell Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “Many congratulations to Matthew for becoming one of the world’s few to achieve such an impressive feat and for highlighting important global environmental issues. His inspirational achievement is a testament to the continued drive, motivation and entrepreneurial spirit that he has shown throughout the expedition – all values that resonate with Yell, as a responsible organisation.”
Ahead of his climb, Matthew received messages of support from The Queen, who wished him “warm good wishes” in achieving his goal and his safe return, and explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, who praised Matthew’s maturity and inner strength.
Matthew is a graduate in Sport and Exercise Science, specialising in environmental physiology, and has previously trained as a squash professional. In mountain training, he has climbed Peak Lenin(7,134m) in the Pamirs range of Kyrgyzstan, and Mera Peak(6,476m) and Baruntse(7,219m) in Nepal.
Matthew is aiming to raise at least £8,848 – the equivalent to the height of Everest - for the Global Angels’ Water for Life project whereby every £5 raised provides one person with safe drinking water for 10 years.
Yell’s support for Matthew reflects its long established track record for corporate social responsibility, with the aim of providing its shareholders and other stakeholders with confidence that it is a well-managed, responsible and sustainable company.
You can support Matthew's challenge and donate to Global Angels via Just Giving:
justgiving.com/MatthewDThornton or text the code SNOW92, your amount (e.g. £10) to 70070.
You can read more details about Matthew’s achievement at: matthewclimbseverest.com