Skip to main content
SeeChamonix

Chamonix's Neverest Girls Raised over 16k For Their Charity

Local trail & marathon runners presented a cheque this week to A Chacun son Everest

featured in News & reviews Author Alison Shayler, Chamonix Reporter Updated

After over a year of planning, fundraising and lots of training the Neverest Girls have finally achieved their goal! Not only have they competed in the world’s highest marathon but they have raised the grand total of 16,700€ for Chamonix charity A Chacun Son Everest.

The idea was born way back in the cold dark days of winter 2013, when Chamonix was too engulfed in snow for trail running to be much of an option. The girls needed the motivation of a new challenge and the idea of entering an “extreme” race was bandied about - somehow the thought of running the world’s highest marathon at Everest Base Camp seemed like a good thing to aim for.

A merry gang of 7 soon committed themselves to the race and excitedly started making training schedules and looking into travel plans. Pretty soon on it dawned on the girls that to embark on such a mission could be more worthwhile than just the adventure of a lifetime, it could be a way to support a charitable cause. It was agreed that any money raised should go directly to the charity, with all race entry and travel costs being covered personally by the girls. After a few discussions, A Chacun Son Everest was decided upon as a charity that all the girls felt strongly about.

A Chacun Son Everest is a haven for those who need it most; women and children who have battled life threatening illnesses. It provides therapy for their minds and bodies with a dedicated team of physicians, mountain guides, activity leaders and healthcare professionals who help them to come to terms with what has happened and to accept the secondary effects of their treatment. Run by the remarkable Dr Christine Janin (herself an Everest summiter), ACSE uses the mountain environment to breathe fresh life, joy and confidence back into people who have been through the fight of their lives.

During a whirlwind year of fundraising galas and fancy dress parties the Neverest Girls were astonished by the level of support that they received from the many friends and family who sponsored generously, bought raffle tickets, donated prizes and gave their time to help. A number of local businesses also got involved with The Mountain Garden Company, SevenTwenty Productions, Koka Yoga, Patagonia, TSJ Menuiserie all giving the girls a much appreciated helping hand. Even trail-running legend Kilian Jornet made a guest appearance in a promotional video alongside the Neverest Girls!

By May 2014 all that remained was the small matter of running 42km at over 5000m… 10 days of tough Himalayan trails, endless bowls of garlic soup, altitude sickness, nightmare-inducing toilets, marauding yaks, frozen tents and trudging through a snowstorm to get to the start line and they were ready for the off! Not the most conventional preparation for a marathon but there was no backing out at this stage. Each of the girls can confirm that every single euro of that 16,700€ was hard won - and an amazing experience to boot.

The challenge was completed last week when the girls were invited to share their tales with a group of women currently staying at A Chacun Son Everest. A slideshow of photographs and many questions later, they were able to proudly hand over a cheque that will allow the charity to expand on the incredible work that it does and help many more people to continue their recovery in a fantastic environment.

The Neverest Girls - Nikki Barnard, Steph Lightfoot, Sofia Hansen, Samantha Brooks, Andrea Mason, Helen Stow and Alison Shayler - would like to thank everyone who supported them, there are far too many to name but they are all very much appreciated and were a true inspiration when the going got tough.

Details have yet to be revealed but the Neverest Girls are not ready to retire just yet, new challenges lie ahead! Watch this space for the next adventure...