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The outdoor advertising industry has been giving its backing to the founder and CEO of Wildstone, Damian Cox, as he prepares to climb one of the Himalayas’ most formidable mountains for charity this month. 

With two close friends, on October 15 Cox set off on his ascent of Ama Dablam (6,812m) in Nepal, a steep, exposed peak that tests climbers with sustained ice, rock and mixed terrain. The climb will take 15 days and has required punishing physical and acclimatisation training over the past four months.

Cox is undertaking the gruelling challenge to raise funds for Young Epilepsy and Lupus UK, and he also hopes to increase public awareness of the conditions the charities focus on. His motivation is personal, as his daughter, Milla, lives with absence epilepsy and lupus.

“Watching what my daughter goes through is extraordinarily difficult,” said Cox. “She faces so many obstacles, yet she navigates life with courage and resilience and always maintains her brilliant sense of humour. She’s inspired me to do something meaningful for other children affected by these conditions.

“To do justice to her, I needed a truly outstanding endeavour. Ama Dablam is one of the most difficult mountains to climb in the Himalayas. It’s slightly lower than the peaks of Everest and K2, but it’s a highly technical climb, so the scale of the challenge felt right.”

Cox has already raised close to £45,000, with contributions from a number of individuals in the outdoor advertising industry, while Global and Hillenaar Outdoor are among the firms to have made corporate donations. Outdoor media operator 75Media has granted free advertising space on its digital billboards to the climb’s fundraising publicity, boosting awareness among the wider public.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the support I’ve already received from people in the industry and I’m hoping others will dig as deep as they can to support these vital charities,” said Cox.

To support Damian, visit: https://givewheel.com/fundraising/8945/ama-dablam-a-dedicated-ascent