When the pandemic put paid to Jon Maguire's plans to scale Everest for charity, he decided to complete the first 6,000 metres of the ascent by scaling a different 'mountain' - Terrace Gardens in Richmond.

Swapping a majestic, snowy scene for the cheery, colourful planting of his local park, Jon could be spotted last wekeend completing the steep climb on an apparently endless loop.

Jon, a trustee of the charity Community Action Nepal, says his feat left a few onlookers with puzzled expressions.

"Someone was here yesterday and they watched me for about five hours," he told us.

"It's not the greatest spectator sport. But it's quite a busy spot for exercise so it doesn't look too odd," he added as he completed yet another flight of the steps leading to the pergola.

Between around 7am and noon, across Friday to Sunday (September 18-20) Jon climbed 44,000 steps, covering 54 miles and ascending 6,000 metres.

To put it into a context that Londoners may appreciate, it's the equivalent of scaling the Shard 16 and a half times.

Community Action Nepal

Now it's starting to sound even more impressive - and Jon's physical challenge had a clear philanthropic purpose too.

He was doing it as part of Community Action Nepal's Everest Challenge, which has raised a remarkable £15,000.

The charity will use the funds to improve health, education and the welfare of Nepalese mountain communities, saying "they need our help now more than ever".

How you can take the Everest Challenge 2020

If you fancy a bit of walking for a great cause, this is how you can get involved.

• climb your staircase twenty times
• take a photo of yourself at the 'summit' of your twentieth climb
• upload it to social media or email it directly to Community Action Nepal
• make a donation via the JustGiving fundraising page
• invite at least five of your friends to take part.

Looking for inspiration? Visit the charity's Instagram where it is posting the climbs that took place around the world as part of the challenge

A poignant end

Community Action Nepal was founded by Doug Scott who, alongside Dougal Haston, was the first Brit to scale Everest, 45 years ago.

Now aged 79, he was recently diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer and for the final part of his personal challenge later this week Jon will climb a fell in the Lake District near to where the great explorer lives.

"He might be able to see us going to the top from his sick bed," Jon told Richmond Nub News.

He said in a post on Instagram: "There's still 2848m to go until I've climbed Everest - to be completed on Thursday on Carrock Fell in the Lake District.

"It's the anniversary day of the first British ascent of Mt Everest - by Mr Doug Scott himself.

"Carrock Fell is where he trained, and near his house, and one of his favourite places in the world."

He added: "We're doing this to help plug the fundraising gap left behind when this great man could no longer get out and do his lecture tour.

"Thank you to everyone who has donated and to those who came to say hi. It was greatly appreciated."

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