Virtual Everest attempt in support of the homeless

The chief executive of a South Leeds charity is quite literally scaling new heights in his bid to raise funds to help those at risk of homelessness.

Combining his day job as CEO of Turning Lives Around (TLA) with his out of hours passion for climbing, Steve Hoey is aiming to virtually take on the slopes of Everest in the next few months.

Steve has pledged to climb some 8,848.86 metres, the height of Everest, to raise money for TLA which works to prevent homelessness amongst some of the vulnerable, single people, couples and families in West Yorkshire’s communities.

So far Steve, who took on the role of CEO at TLA in September, has notched up 4,658 metres against his target, taking on such climbs as High Crag, Red Pike, High Stile and Little Gowder Crag plus various hills in the Lake District in the last few months.

Hoping others will sign up to join him in his fundraising quest, Steve said he caught the mountain climbing bug while at school with teenaged trips away to tackle Ben Nevis, Snowden and Scafell.

“I’ve kept up trips to the hills ever since and have been to the Alps too climbing mountains like Castor and Pollux, Point de Zinal and Mont Blanc du Tacul. I love being up high and feel really alive when I am in the mountains,” he said.

Although relatively new to TLA, Steve has an extensive background in working in the local homelessness sector with a deep commitment to working with vulnerable people.

“I love the work we are doing in housing and supporting homeless people but as a charity TLA is being squeezed by the effects of austerity and the cost-of-living crisis. We need to be saving money and raising funds in any way we can,” he explained.

“I hope this sponsored fundraising effort of mine will raise money while also inspiring others to do their own fundraising projects to make money for our vital work.”