Have you ever heard of an ‘Everesting Challenge’? No? Neither had I until recently. It involves a cyclist climbing a single hill the number of times that’s required to reach a total ascent of 8498 metre to equal Mt Everest. Oh – it gets better. It has to be done in a single ride. It’s known as one of the toughest cycling challenges in the world and I’m exhausted just writing about it. Now I know what it is, I can confidently say that I will never be completing this challenge.

But Neil McLagan is, and he is doing it for a really good cause. He will be raising funds for Insulin for Life (IFL) Global. I’ve written about IFL Global before, and have done some (volunteer) work before, promoting what they do.

As a refresher, IFL Global is a not for profit organisation, raising awareness of the lack of insulin and diabetes supplies in developing countries. The organisation collects and transports insulin and supplies and then distributes them to clinics and health professionals in these countries, as well as offers a complications screening program in places where this simply does not happen.

IFL Global’s mission is that no one should die because they can’t afford or access insulin. Their efforts save lives and help those with diabetes survive and thrive in their communities.

Obviously this is something that I will support – not by starting to do extreme cycling, but by promoting those doing it. And that brings me back to Neil McLagan.

Neil will be undertaking his ‘Everesting Challenge’ by climbing Admiral Road in Bedfordale, Western Australia more than eighty times. Apparently, that is going to take him more than eighteen hours. It’s not the first time that Neil has undertaken this sort of challenge. Last year he rode solo and unsupported from Sydney to Perth raising funds for another diabetes cause. Over twenty days, he spent a total of almost 180 hours on his bike, riding a total of 4011kms (almost 2,500 miles). He says that his ‘Everesting Challenge’ will be one of the most physically and mentally difficult single day challenges. He’s not kidding!

Oh – did I mention that Neil has type 1 diabetes?

He is hoping to raise AUD$20,000, along with a lot of awareness about Insulin for Life Global. Without the work they do, a type 1 diagnosis for many people in the counties where they have a presence would almost certainly mean a drastically shortened life.

This is where you can help.

Look – if you’re inclined to get on a bike and ride it for the equivalent of climbing Mt Everest while fundraising for IFL Global, all the power to you. Please let me know and I promise to throw more than just a couple of bucks your way.

But if you’re like me and would prefer to sit in a café reading about people like Neil, you can still help.

You can make a donation by clicking here. Every donation counts – don’t ever think that $5 won’t make a difference.

And you can follow Neil’s story by liking his Facebook page here and following his adventures, and sharing it with your friends.

Please do consider making a donation to Neil’s efforts. Insulin for Life Global is truly a very important cause and is making a massive difference to the lives if people with diabetes.