Vigilance raffle off Brompton Bikes used to tackle Everest

Photo courtesy of Brompton Bikes

Supporters get the chance to win a famous Brompton bike

Last October, team Vigilance took on an epic fundraising challenge. Using specially adapted Brompton Bikes, Seb and Ed cycled from Kathmandu to Everest Base Camp to raise money for The Gurkha Welfare Trust. They completed this record-breaking challenge in just 14 days – incredible progress given the difficulty of the terrain and weather – raising a phenomenal £18,394 for our work.

Seb and Ed are the CEO and COO of the GWT’s Platinum Business Club Member, Vigilance, leading security experts. Having previously supported one of the Trust’s schools, this time around they are raising funds for one of our vital water projects, which will provide a clean source of water to a whole community.

Seb and Ed very kindly agreed to donate their trusty steeds to a raffle to raise another £2,000 for the project. The bikes held up remarkably well throughout the journey to Everest; just one puncture and a broken gear shifter between them! Since returning to the UK, the bikes have had a full service and repairs to make them ready for the two lucky winners.

Benefitting a village in need

Orbara Tole is a group of remote settlements in the western hills of Nepal, located 2.5km away from the nearest main road, accessible only by a long gravel track that can become impassable in the rainy season. Most of the villagers are subsistence farmers, growing wheat, maize, barley, beans, and black soybeans. Their current water ‘system’ is repurposed piping, collecting water from an open source in the hillside. This water supply can be unsafe to drink, and can dry up in the hot season, leaving them without access to water. The GWT’s project will pipe in a clean water supply and install tap stands for every household, as well as help educate villagers on how to maintain the water system and improve health and hygiene practices.