THE owner of an award-winning fish and chip shop in Aberdeenshire is aiming to climb one of the world’s highest mountains after being inspired by his sister, who has multiple sclerosis (MS).
Calum Richardson, chef and director at The Bay Fish and Chips in Stonehaven, will fly out to Nepal next month to take on Manaslu.
Located in the Nepalese Himalayas, Manaslu is the eighth-highest mountain in the world, standing at 8163m (26,781 ft). It’s six times the height of Ben Nevis, and fewer than 100 British climbers have ever summited it.
The dad-of-four is taking on the challenge in a bid to raise funds for the MS Society while also raising awareness of the condition, which his sister Karen Richardson has lived with for 20 years.
Calum said he has always wanted to climb Everest, as it is something that’s been in his head since he was a child, but added that it was one of “these things” he couldn’t really afford to do.
“When my sister’s MS started getting worse, she sold her house and lived with my wife and me for a year while she looked for accommodation that would be easier for her,” he explained.
“When Karen was living with us it really opened my eyes. Where she was at with her MS, and where we thought she was at, were two different things. It made me realise you need to go and do stuff while you can.”
MS is a condition that affects nerves in the brain and spinal cord. It impacts how people move, think, and feel. Symptoms are different for everybody and often invisible.
It is the most common neurological condition among young adults, with most people being diagnosed in their 30s or 40s, but it can affect people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, and genders.
With Calum’s sights set on not only achieving his childhood dream, but also honouring his sister, his wife, Viktorija, bought her husband a trek to Everest Base Camp for his 50th birthday.
After completing the expedition last year, Calum said he was “hooked” on climbing mountains.
He undertook the 16-day challenge with Nepalese company Elite Exped, trekking with one of its founders, record-breaking mountaineer Mingma David Sherpa, who inspired him to keep pushing himself towards his ultimate goal of conquering Everest.
Calum has since summited Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak at 5895m (19,341ft), with Viktorija. As part of the climb, they completed a mindset masterclass, which, for Calum, was about “seeing whether I could go higher, and also whether I enjoyed it”.
Last year, he climbed Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America at 6961m (22,838ft), following the guidance of Mingma David and Elite Exped founder Nirmal ‘Nims’ Purja.
Calum explained that raising money for the MS Society for his Manaslu climb was his sister’s decision and that he’s equally excited and confident about the challenge.
He said: “As well as raising money, she really wants me to use this opportunity to raise some awareness. If more people understood MS it would help people who’ve got it tremendously.
“I feel good, I feel excited. I’m confident because I know the company I’m going with. Not only do I take inspiration from Mingma David, Nims, and the team but I feel safe with them.
“They don’t take risks, which is really important, especially when you’re getting into these kind of heights. I don’t take risks now because I’ve got family to come back to.”
Calum thanked everyone who’s sponsored him so far, adding: “Everyone always supports me, always. I find that when I’m on the mountain, when I’m away doing something, that’s when most of the sponsorship comes in.
“I know times are difficult for people but even if everyone I know puts a pound in, that would be a lot of money.
“I’m aware that fewer than 100 climbers from the UK have successfully summited Manaslu. If I became one of the first 100 Brits to do it, the joy would be overwhelming.
“But the main thing for me is to climb it and after that I can celebrate all those extra fun bits. For me it’s about focusing on just getting there; for my sister and for the MS Society.”
Jo Anderson, director for Scotland at the MS Society, offered Calum a “huge thanks” for taking on the “tough challenge” to raise vital funds and increase awareness of MS.
“More than 17,000 people in Scotland, and more than 150,000 people throughout the UK, live with MS. But research has shown that many people still don’t have a good understanding of the condition,” she said.
“Calum’s right when he says MS can be easier to manage if you’re surrounded by people who understand the impact it can have.
Anderson added: “When our wonderful supporters help to increase awareness of the different ways MS can affect people, as Calum is doing with help from his sister Karen, it really does make a positive difference to our community.
“We wish Calum the very best of luck for summiting Manaslu and also for achieving his dream of climbing Everest.”
