Darren Wise and Shane Pophfer climbed two of the highest mountains in the world - Mt. Aconcagua in South America and Mt. Elbrus in Russia - in 5 weeks to raise over $13,000 for The Children's Hospital at Westmead. Darren was motivated by his sister's death in the hospital and wanted to give back. He and Shane will present cheques totaling over $7,000 to the hospital and meet some of the children their fundraising will help. The hospital commended their huge achievement in raising awareness and funds to help sick kids.

1. June, 2010
Tackling the world’s highest mountains for sick kids
Darren Wise and best mate Shane Pophfer have gone where few have gone before them;
climbing two of the world’s highest peaks in one go. Their motivation for this gruelling trek was
to raise funds for The Children's Hospital at Westmead. On Wednesday 8 June they will hand
over cheques for over $7,000 to the Hospital and meet some of the kids their fundraiser will
help. These cheques are only a fraction of the total $13,000 raised.
Darren and Shane climbed two of the 7 Summit Mountains in one expedition of 5 weeks; Mt
Aconcagua in South America (22,841ft) and Mt Elbrus in Russia (18,442ft); They saw the trek
as an opportunity to raise awareness and funds for The Children's Hospital at Westmead while
also using it as training for Mount Everest, which they plan to do in the next couple of years.
Mr Wise said, “This trek was a personal challenge for me, and I am proud of what I have
achieved. Although this challenge pales in comparison to what many patients and their families
go through each day at The Children's Hospital at Westmead. Those children are our heroes:
they face pain, adversity and the fear of the unknown every day. To us, they are little brave
warriors.
“Tragically, my sister Sharon was knocked off her bike and killed by a drunk driver when she
was aged 12. I will never forget saying goodbye to her in Hospital while she was on life support.
The support our family received from staff at the Hospital has remained in my mind and was my
motivation in fundraising for them.”
Lucy Davis, Community Events Manager at The Children's Hospital at Westmead has
commended the two men for taking on such a huge challenge in an effort to raise funds for sick
kids.
Ms Davis said, “What an amazing achievement for these two men, not only have they scaled
two of the highest peaks in the world on the one trip but they have done it in the name of
bringing awareness and funds to The Children's Hospital at Westmead. On behalf of the
patients and families I would like to thank Darren and Shane for their commitment.”
The Children’s Hospital at Westmead is the largest paediatric centre in NSW, providing the most
advanced care and treatment options for children from NSW, Australia and across the Pacific
Rim.
Established in 1880, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead is a stand-alone public Hospital and
registered charity with 3,000 staff working in 150 departments. Over 70,000 sick children and
their families are cared for each year in a family-focused, healing environment.
Funded by the NSW Government, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead provides significant
enhancements to services aided by the generosity of individual and corporate donors. For more
information visit www.chw.edu.au
Media Opportunity
This cheque presentation will take place on Wednesday 8 June at 10.30am at The Children's
Hospital at Westmead. Please contact the Public Relations for further information.
For further information contact: Julie Law, Public Relations Officer
T: 02 9845 3586 E: juliel1@chw.edu.au A.H: 02 9845 0000