THE CHALLENGE
Well known to be one of the most gruelling challenges in the world, a test of physical and mental strength and endurance, Everest is a climb that tests you to the limits.
Base Camp Altitude: 5,364m | Oxygen Level: 50% | Day temperature: 15 degrees | Night temperature: -1 degree | Trek duration: 9 – 12 days | Trek distance: 130 – 140km
In March 2022 Ian Stones, a leading fertility and wellness expert, will lead a team of 15 – 20 men to Base Camp, raising funds for Fertility Network UK along the way. Why? To raise awareness of a little talked about issue: male fertility. Each man in the expedition has suffered due to male fertility, but not always as you’d expect. Read the issues below to find out more.
THE ISSUES
Lack of Support
As a Fertility and Wellness expert, Ian has spent years supporting couples through the stresses of fertility treatment. While fertility is as much about a man as a woman, often men receive far less support throughout treatment.
In developing the work he does to offer more support to men, Ian realised how little there is out there for men and how this is impacting them.
The Mental Impact
Fertility treatment can be a gruelling process for couples and it can have a huge effect on men too. Many men feel isolated during fertility treatment and often feel like a spare part as treatment is heavily focussed on the woman. Men don’t get much support around lifestyle, diet and stress, nor do they have somewhere to go to talk about how treatment is affecting them emotionally and physically. For some men, this can lead to serious mental health issues, depression and even suicidal thoughts.
THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE!
For too long now men have been side-lined throughout fertility treatment and we would like to see this change.
Men want to be heard, to feel as much a part of fertility treatment as their partner and they want to be able to talk about their experiences with others. Now is the time for us to build on this and create change and some new opportunities for men to get all the support and help they need.
SUPPORTING FERTILITY NETWORK UK
Fertility Network UK provides free and impartial support, advice, information and understanding for anyone affected by fertility issues.
FNUK is the nation’s leading patient-focused fertility charity, offering practical and emotional support whatever your experience of fertility issues.
Ian Stones and Toby Trice have been running a monthly support group for men on behalf of Fertility Network UK for some time now, creating a space where men can share their experiences and support each other. These, and others suffering from male fertility issues are the men invited to join the challenge.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT
Fundraising Target: £6,000
Ian has set an ambitious target of £6000 and his mind-blowing target would be £10,000!
A percentage of the money will go towards the cost of the trip, some of which will be covered personally by participants. All money over and above this will go direct to FNUK.
PLEASE DONATE TO THE CHALLENGE
Share our Story
We’re actively engaging with the press to raise as much awareness as possible, but the more noise we can make, the more money we can raise and the more impact we can have. Sharing to your circles will help drive the change.
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COVID STATEMENT
“As I write this we’re in the middle of the COVID crisis and none of us knows how it will play out and whether it will impact the trip. We’re scheduled to trek to Base Camp in March 2022 and are hoping life and travel will be back to normal. If not, we will aim to reschedule the challenge. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to raise money for a fantastic charity who need all the support they can get right now.” – Ian Stones
About Ian Stones
Ian is a leading fertility and wellness expert with extensive experience supporting couples through their fertility journey. Ian is especially passionate about offering support to men and raising awareness of male fertility issues. Ian co-hosts FNUK’s monthly male fertility support group which has proved incredibly popular and is breaking down the barriers and stigma around male fertility. The Everest challenge was Ian’s slightly crazy idea however he’s super excited to be doing something that is getting peoples attention about male fertility whilst also raising money for FNUK. You can donate to Ian’s fundraising pot here
About Rob Meredith
My wife and I have been pursuing parenthood since 2016. We have had three unsuccessful rounds of IVF and are about to embark on three rounds of embryo banking, two with a sperm donor and one with surgically extracted semen from myself. Over the years and numerous tests it has become clear that I have a low sperm count, poor sperm morphology and high levels of DNA fragmentation, which have resulted in arrested embryo development during previous rounds of IVF.
I am taking on this challenge for two reasons, firstly to raise some money for a charity which has helped support me through this difficult period, secondly to spend some time and get to know a group of guys who are going through a similar experience to myself and hopefully grow through the shared experience.
See Robert’s Go Fund Me page
About Kevin Button
Hi I’m Kevin Button, I’m 35 years old and from Tonyrefail in South Wales. Several years ago I was told I was unable to have children. Over the last year, via my Instagram and website @them_ancave, I have spread awareness around male infertility and mental health as I believe they go hand in hand. As an ambassador for Fertility Network UK I jumped at the chance to be involved and can’t wait for the journey to break the stigma around male infertility!
See Kevin’s Go Fund Me page
About Carl Shone
Hello everyone, ever since I did a tandem parachute jump two years ago for a local charity, I’ve been looking at other charities and ways to raise money and awareness.
A few months back before COVID I came across FNUK so I thought I would show my interest. Within a few weeks, I became a volunteer with the charity. This involves helping out with peer to peer support groups and hosting a “male-only support group” which is accessed through Zoom each month.
See Carl’s JustGiving Page