Celebrities pledge support to Dumbarton couple planning Everest trek for Yorkhill

Mar 8 2013 by Jenny Foulds, Lennox Herald

Celebrities have pledged their support to a Dumbarton couple who plan to scale Mount Everest in aid of a children’s charity.

Elton John, Ricky Hatton and even Prime Minister David Cameron have sent parcels of gifts to Ashleigh Urquhart and boyfriend David Neil, which the pair plan to auction off at a glitzy ball at Loch Lomond this weekend.

The couple have organised a charity ball and auction to be held at Duck Bay Marina on Saturday, March 9 in a bid to raise as much money as they can for Yorkhill Children’s Foundation, which supports the Glasgow hospital for sick kids.

The daredevils are also geared up to trek to the base camp of Mount Everest at the end of the month for the charity drive.

Ashleigh, 21, said: “I’ve spent months writing to loads of celebrities asking them to donate prizes for the ball and I’m shocked by the great response I’ve had.

“I wrote to Elton John and he sent me a big bundle of signed stuff, Ricky Hatton has donated a signed photo of his last fight, there’s a signed Rangers football and the Prime Minister has even given me a Parker pen. We also have a really nice drawing done by the children at Yorkhill.

“It’s going to be an amazing night, there’s some great prizes and it’s all for a phenomenal cause. It’s only £35 and that’s for a three-course meal, including your first drink and there will be a DJ and a ceilidh band.”

It is a charity close to the couple’s hearts as Ashleigh was treated there as a child and David’s young sister was a patient.

Children’s nurse Ashleigh, who also did her training at the hospital whilst she was studying at Glasgow Caledonian University, graduated last year and is now working at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.

Ashleigh continued: “Working and living in London is great, however it’s been really hard trying organise this event whilst being based down here and trying to fundraise.

“Both of our parents have been an amazing support, helping raise money through things like bag packing.”

Ashleigh and David will set off on their journey to reach the Everest base camp at the end of the month and admit one of the most terrifying aspects is travelling via the most dangerous airport in the world. She added: “The runway is on the side of a mountain but we’re looking forward to getting there and having an amazing experience and being able to come home and say we actually did that.”

For tickets, contact Ashleigh on 07843 233579 or aurquhart30@gmail.com. The pair also have a web page for donations. Visit www.justgiving.com/basecamptrek2013