Saray Khumalo’s Mount Everest climbing expedition cancelled

Saray Khumalo’s Mount Everest climbing expedition cancelled

24 April 2014

Following talks between the Nepalese Minister of Tourism and various mountaineering bodies, this year’s Mount Everest expedition has been officially cancelled. Saray Khumalo and Sibusiso Vilane will be returning home after setting off on a journey to climb Mount Everest in an attempt to raise money for The Lunchbox Fund and the Nelson Mandela Bangle Foundation.  It has been reported that the main route through the Khumbu Icefall, where the avalanche struck a team of guides carrying equipment for their clients, was too dangerous.

Saray and Sibusiso have been given an extension for their climbing permits for another five years and may still attempt to climb Mount Everest. The driving force behind Saray and Sibusiso’s attempt was to positively impact the lives of many young South Africans.  Saray’s main goal was to raise a total of R1 million for The Lunchbox Fund which is dedicated to providing a daily meal for extremely poor and at-risk school children in South Africa. Sibusiso was climbing in aid of the Mandela Day Library Initiative where for every R195 000 generated through public donations one container library can be built and placed at a school.

Saray, who has already raised just over R140 000, said “I really hope that I will still be able to make a difference in the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children with what we have raised so far. It seems we were not meant to summit this year, but I have definitely enjoyed the journey”. Saray, a Discovery Vitality employee, who has successfully climbed to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro before, was sponsored by Discovery. “We are very proud of Saray who embodies Discovery’s values of being a force for social good and uplifting the South African society. Saray’s courage, drive and tenacity is an inspiration to all of us” says Discovery Head of People, Dr Penny Tlhabi. 

People who want to support Saray’s campaign can still donate funds through the Love to Do Good website at https://lovetodogood.org.za/campaign/ubuntu-everestor via The Lunchbox Fund at http://www.thelunchboxfund.org/donate.html and use the following reference Ubuntu-your name e.g. Ubuntu-Saraykhumalo.

Donors can donate funds in the following ways:

·  Feed a child for a month with a R50 contribution,

·  Feed a child for six months with a R250 contribution, and

·  Feed a child for a year with a R500 contribution.

For Discovery related enquiries please contact:

Thulaganyo Khensani Mthombeni

Reputation Management Consultant

Tel: +27 (0) 11 529 0091

Mobile: +27 (0) 71 886 9188

E-mail: Khensanimth@discovery.co.za