Mission: Everest – From London to the Summit in 7 Days
On May 15th, four elite Special Forces veterans will attempt something no one has done before: travel from London to the summit of Mount Everest and back in just seven days. Mission: Everest is an extreme test of human endurance and strategic precision, a bold statement of what’s possible when experience, technology, and unshakable purpose collide.
Supporting Heroes: £1 million for veterans and their families
The cause is a powerful one: raising £1 million for veterans’ charities, particularly those supporting bereaved military families with children who have lost parents in service.
Prevail Partners is proudly backing this historic expedition. As a key sponsor we have committed to supporting the cause by amplifying the story and inspiring others.
Meet the team behind the challenge
The team comprises Colonel Al Carns DSO OBE MC, Major Garth Miller FRGS, Kevin Godlington, and Anthony ‘Staz’ Stazicker CGC. Collectively, they bring over 75 years of military service and the grit, determination and familiarity with pushing beyond the recognised limits of human endurance, to see this through.
Colonel Al Carns DSO OBE MC, a former Royal Marine and current Minister for Veterans and People at the Ministry of Defence, is also the first sitting Minister to attempt a feat like this. For him, the mission is personal, “This is an opportunity to help rebuild the ties between our Veterans and Armed Forces community and our broader society and to promote the positive contribution of veterans. Everest has been climbed before, but you will be hard pushed to find a team which is doing it for this purpose and in this time.”
Innovative training strategies
To achieve this unprecedented feat, the team is employing innovative strategies: training involves pre-acclimatising using hypoxic tents, allowing them to adapt to altitude whilst still in the UK, which will drastically reduce the time they’ll need on the mountain.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the question — how fast can someone really get there?” said Garth, who currently holds the record for the fastest London-to-Everest return at 21 days. “This isn’t a stunt, it’s calculated. It’s precise. And we’re here to prove it can be done.”
The team’s preparation also includes the development of specialised equipment tailored to the extreme conditions of Everest. Anthony ‘Staz’ Stazicker, co-founder of the technical clothing company ThruDark, played a key role in developing suits built to withstand the mountain’s extreme temperature shifts. Designed for maximum performance, this specialised gear enables climbers to adapt quickly to rapidly changing conditions.
“For me it’s about showing what veterans can do long after service,” said Anthony ‘Staz’ Stazicker CGC. “We’ve faced adversity before. This mission is a chance to turn that mindset into something that gives back to the community. As veterans, we know what’s at stake and we’re incredibly grateful to partners like Prevail for standing alongside us. Without their support, this wouldn’t be possible.”
Kevin Godlington, also a former UK Special Forces operator, brings the grit of 12 previous mountain expeditions to the challenge. “I’ve spent most of my adult life in hostile environments and, to me, this is just another kind. But there’s no mission I’d rather be on than this one.”
“Prevail’s partnership has been a vital support. The team recognises that, “Their commitment to supporting the expedition and championing its story, is what will help turn this from a daring climb into a national moment.”
That moment is already gaining traction. The team has been featured in The Times, the Sun and across other media and social media channels, drawing attention to their bold objective and the reasons behind it.
As the countdown begins, Prevail will be sharing updates and behind-the-scenes insights across their channels bringing the story to life for audiences who want to follow every step of the way. From London tarmac to the roof of the world and back, this is more than an expedition. It’s a mission of a lifetime.
To learn more about Mission: Everest and to support Veterans and Armed Forces charities please visit: https://givewheel.com/fundraising/6962/mission-everest/
