October 14th 2024.
A man by the name of Sam Bunting, who is 79 years old, has embarked on an incredible journey with the goal of becoming the oldest person with Alzheimer's to reach Everest Base Camp. This journey is not just for his personal fulfillment, but also to raise money for a noble cause. Sam, who is an army veteran from Ashford, Kent, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2022. However, he refused to let this diagnosis define him and instead, he decided to pursue his lifelong dream of climbing Everest.
While Sam is on this journey, he is also raising funds for the local Age UK center in his community. This center holds a special place in his heart as he not only volunteers there, but also receives support from them. Sam had originally planned on climbing Everest back in 2014, but due to becoming a grandfather to twins, he decided to put his dream on hold. Additionally, in 2015, the devastating earthquakes in Nepal further delayed his plans.
Joining Sam on this incredible journey is his lifelong family friend, Emma-Jayne Thomas, who is 47 years old and also lives in Ashford. Emma-Jayne, who is a team leader at Age UK, has always seen Sam as a second father and is unbelievably proud of him. Cleo Smith, who is 49 years old and the chief officer of Age UK, will also be joining them on this journey. The trio has been training intensely since January 2024 and have already raised over £20,000.
Sam has been preparing for this journey by training at the gym with weights and cardio. On October 14, they will begin their 80-mile round trip. Sam is brimming with excitement and even jokes that once he reaches Everest Base Camp, he may not want to leave and the girls may have to tie him down. Upon completing this incredible challenge, Sam will set a new Guinness World Record as the oldest person with Alzheimer's to reach Everest Base Camp. This is something he considers to be a huge achievement.
Sam's approach to this challenge is to treat it the same way he would treat any other mountain climb – just go straight to the top. He believes in not stopping or overthinking, and just pushing forward. He also believes that a diagnosis of Alzheimer's does not mean the end of enjoying life. In fact, he sees this journey as having even more purpose now, as he is not only doing it for himself, but also for all the people out there who suffer from this disease. In his mind, the people who work at Age UK are proper angels.
Sam's journey to Everest began in 2022 when he started experiencing early warning signs of Alzheimer's. He recalls a moment when he was picking up his grandson from Cubs and suddenly couldn't remember where he was. Being the clever man he is, he gave his grandson a challenge to show him how to get home. But his grandson wasn't fooled and immediately told his mother, who then urged Sam to see a doctor. After his diagnosis, Sam's family was worried, but he was determined to show them that life doesn't have to stop after an Alzheimer's diagnosis.
Sam has always been an adventurous person, having traveled the world while serving in the armed forces. In 2013, he even climbed Mount Annapurna in Nepal. The following year, he had hoped to climb Everest, but his daughter gave birth to twins and he did not want to leave them. Then, in 2015, the earthquakes struck, causing further delays. However, in August 2023, Sam started visiting his local Age UK day center, where Emma-Jayne works. It was here that he mentioned his goal of reaching Everest Base Camp and raising money for the center. Instantly, Emma-Jayne and her boss, Cleo, agreed to join him and were touched by his wish.
The trio has been training almost every day since January 2024, focusing on weight training and cardio. They have also adopted a healthier diet and given up alcohol, with Emma-Jayne even quitting smoking. Their climb is scheduled for October 14 and they will return on November 5. The climb typically takes around 12 days, depending on weather conditions and altitude adjustments.
Sam is very excited about the challenge, but he is also focused on looking after Cleo and Emma-Jayne. He knows the altitude will be a challenge and is determined to make sure they all make it back home safely. Cleo adds that they haven't been able to train for the altitude, so they also have to mentally prepare themselves for that. It's not just about the physical training, but also the emotional aspect of being away from their families for an extended period of time.
The trio knows that when they finally reach Everest Base Camp, it will be an emotional and unforgettable moment. Emma-Jayne believes they will all share a special bond and will be on top of the world for achieving their goal. Sam has even painted a rock with the Hythe, Lyminge and Ashford Age UK logo and their names on the back, which they hope to leave at Base Camp to mark their success.
Upon their return, Sam plans to submit evidence to Guinness World Records, as he will become the oldest person with Alzheimer's to reach Everest Base Camp. He sees this as a great achievement and is excited about the competition aspect of it. Despite knowing that his memory will decline over time, Sam remains positive and prefers to live in the present. He knows there's no point in thinking about things he may not remember in the future.
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