Steve's Himalaya challenge

ACTION-MAN Steve Lea is preparing to bike, trek and white-water raft a gruelling 20km circuit in the Himalayas all to raise money for disadvantaged youngsters.

Father-of-two Steve, from Upton is part of a team of six Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete UK employees taking part in The Himalaya Challenge in aid of The Prince's Trust.

As part of the challenge Steve, and colleagues, Gill Sol, Tony Smith, Matt Gibbs, Scott Wegener and Jane Tebbatt, who are all based in the south, must raise £21,000.

It means a mammoth fundraising effort as well as dedication to a tough training regime designed to ensure they are all in tip-top shape for the ten-day trip in October.

Steve, a sales manager for Lafarge, said:"I have been training since March and probably spend seven hours a week running, cycling and walking.
"I've seen a huge difference in my physical fitness. When I first started I did a one mile run and I found it extremely difficult, now I'm running six or seven miles three times a week."

Steve's efforts will stand him in good stead as the challenge, taking in a route through the Annapurna Himal in Nepal, will be both physically and mentally gruelling.

He and his team-mates will endure seven days of punishing activity for up to ten hours a day, sometimes at altitude and in blistering temperatures,

Despite the obvious demands of the trip the 40-year-old is looking forward to it and is enjoying his newfound exercise-rich lifestyle.

He said:"I'm getting a real buzz out of it. Initially it was daunting but you set yourself a goal, get on with it and see that you can achieve it.
"I've never done anything like this before and wasn't really into exercising in a big way so I've radically changed my lifestyle and feel healthier for it.
"That was one of the big draws of the challenge, testing myself physically and mentally and of course there is the satisfaction of knowing you are supporting The Prince's Trust.
"It is a great charity which helps young people who are in difficult situations get into employment, education or training.
"Raising money for The Prince's Trust means you are helping give someone a better start in life."

- Steve is running a raffle as part of his sponsorship drive with holidays in Scotland and Switzerland up for grabs. To buy a ticket or for more information contact Stephen.lea@uk.lafarge.com

- To sponsor Team Lafarge log onto www.princes-trust.org.uk

- Lafarge Aggregates and Concrete is the first ever building materials company to partner The Prince's Trust and has pledged support for a minimum of three years.

- Set up in 1976 by HRH The Prince of Wales, the Trust gives disadvantaged young people opportunities to develop key skills and confidence, helping them to move into work, education or training.

www.lafarge.co.uk