AS a boxer, Glenn McCrory scaled the heights in the ring to become the British World Cruiserweight champ.
But now he’s set his sights even higher and aims to conquer the world’s highest mountain to raise £100,000 for children in hospitals in Coventry and Warwickshire.
Glenn, aged 54, is in training for the ascent of Mt Everest next April as part of the team supporting Coventry-based charity Children’s Christmas Wish List.
McCrory, known as “Gentleman” Glenn during his illustrious ring career which reached its pinnacle in the late 1980s, has already climbed Mount Kilimanjaro to support another charity and in September will depart to Nepal to scale Mount Manaslu, the eighth highest mountain in the world at 8,163 metres.
He admits he hates heights and doesn’t like the cold but he is determined to go the distance against a formidable opponent which this year alone has taken the lives of 10 climbers.
He said: “I’ve always had a fascination with Everest and when the opportunity came along I couldn’t resist it.
“I want to test myself and benefit other people which is why we’re raising money for kids.”
His efforts are part of a huge fundraising drive to brighten the lives of seriously ill children at University Hospital, Coventry, St Cross Hospital in Rugby, George Eliot Hospital, Nuneaton and Warwick Hospital.
The charity was founded 2008 by its chairman, Warwickshire businessman Craig Collins, with the aim of donating gifts for hospitalised children and making Christmas dreams come true.
Last year it raised £48,000 which helped organise a VIP day to the Etihad Stadium, a trip to see a live viewing of the X Factor, and contributed towards sending a family to visit Give Kids The World village in Florida which provides cost-free vacations to children with life threatening illnesses.
The Coventry charity is now an official partner with the Florida scheme and will step up help to send terminally ill children and their families for a week where they are given the opportunity to embark on once-in-a-lifetime experiences such as meeting Mickey Mouse and swimming with dolphins.
Craig is delighted to have Glenn in his corner: “I first made contact with Glenn when he had completed his Mount Kilimanjaro expedition.
“He had posted a video on the summit and I’d sent him a message of congratulations whilst also challenging him to tackle Everest next and he not only responded but accepted my challenge!
“After weeks of correspondence between myself and Glenn, we met with military personnel at Catterick Garrison in January, where Glenn has several contacts from training at the Garrison throughout his boxing career.
“Over the past ten years we have gifted countless toys to University Hospital, and are now are able to support St. Cross Hospital, Warwick Hospital and George Eliot Hospital and we have granted several life-changing wishes to several terminally- ill children.
“Our hope is that Glenn’s expedition will generate further awareness for this great cause that regularly puts smiles on the faces of children and their families during difficult times.
“As a non-profit organisation, we solely rely on donations to meet our targets and provide wonderful experiences for terminally- ill children and their families. The profits raised from the upcoming Everest expedition will help continue to fund the costs attributed to donating gifts and granting wishes for those children who are having to spend time away from home in hospital.
To help provide further funds for the expedition, Craig has set up a Go Fund Me page where all donations will be welcome. https://www.gofundme.com/glenn-mccrorys-everest-summit-expedition-in-2020
