West Suffolk MP Matt Hancock to climb Mont Blanc for charity
He wants to raise money for a new children's hopsital in the East
Last updated 13th Jun 2022
West Suffolk MP and former health minister Matt Hancock is to climb Mont Blanc in an effort to raise money for a new children's hopsital in East Anglia.
The peak is the highest in the Alps, rising around 4.8km above sea level.
The Cambridge Children's Hospital is planned as the first dedicated facility of its kind in the East with the ability to treat both mental and physical illness.
It's in the early stages of planning and is yet to be fully funded.
Speaking about his fundraising campaigner, Matt Hancock said:
"The team behind the Cambridge Children's Hospital have an inspiring vision, not just of creating a new children's hospital, but of creating a world-class research centre that brings together the treatment of mental and physical health for children."
"As the biggest centre of genomic research in the world, Cambridge is perfectly placed to combine the treatment and research to find new cures for rare diseases.
"The design and purpose of the project is to treat both the physical and mental health of children, and the impact of child illness on their families.
"Every penny I receive from doing this challenge will go towards supporting children's care at Cambridge University Hospital and in time, provide the most compassionate support modern medical science has to offer for children in need of care.
"I have been been training for the trek since the beginning of the year and will attempt the climb with my partner Gina and a guide. Gina will be raising money for The Willow Foundation - a charity working with seriously ill young adults."
It's just the latest fundraising challenge taken on by the MP. In 2005 he trekked to the North Pole in aid of Cancer Research UK. He's also a regular marathon runner.
Shelley Thake, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust CEO, said: “It is fantastic that Matt and so many others are excited about fundraising for the new children’s hospital and children’s services at Addenbrooke’s.
"We wish him well in his challenge. As the hospital’s fundraising charity, ACT will be launching lots of fun public fundraising activity for the new hospital."