Toowoomba councillor Megan O’Hara Sullivan joins Momentum Mental Health fundraiser to tackle Everest base camp

Hiking to the base camp of the world’s tallest peak is not for the faint of heart, but one Toowoomba councillor is taking on the challenge to raise money for a local charity.

A Toowoomba councillor is preparing to tackle a hike to the base of the world’s highest peak, helping to raise more than $100,000 for a local charity in the process.

Councillor Megan O’Hara Sullivan will be joining 19 other people on Momentum Mental Health’s Everest Base Camp Challenge.

The 14-day hike will take the group, which includes MMH chairman Chris Black, on a 95km return hike to the South Base Camp in Nepal, which sits nearly 5500m above sea level.

For context, the peak of Mount Everest is 8800m above sea level.

Ms O’Hara Sullivan said the group was hoping to raise $110,000 to support MMH, which will help fund services at the Toowoomba not-for-profit organisation.

Preparing for the Everest Base Camp Challenge to raise $100,000 for Momentum Mental Health are (from left) Allison Goldman, Shelley Burchett, Heather Fearby-Roberts, councillor Megan O'Hara Sullivan and Craig Sleeman.

“This is a self-funded trip and we’re expected to raise $5.5k each, because Everest base camp is nearly 5500m above sea level,” she said.

“We’re doing all this training, and I was reluctant to go, I didn’t know what it would be like, but it’s a really unique group of people.

“You stay in a glass research centre, there are also suspension bridges – you have some days to acclimatise, and I think it’s 12 days of trekking.”

The Everest Base Camp.

Ms O’Hara Sullivan said she wanted to support MMH so it could continue to help people struggling or exploring mental health issues.

“What is unique now is you don’t have to have a diagnosis to access their services, which might be holding back people from seeking help,” she said.

“They say it’s open to anyone who is open to talking about their mental health.

“They have coaching there and group sessions, and if you need more intense therapy they will refer you.”

The group leaves for the challenge in April and currently needs one more person to take part.

To sign up or donate to a participant, head to the website.