A Wigan landscaper and his partner are taking on the highest marathon in the world to raise money for autistic children. Phil Kirk, founder of Wigan Artificial Grass Co, and his partner Tammy HarrisonRound will run the Everest Marathon on May 29, 2025, to fundraise for Otistic, a Wigan-based initiative supporting autistic children in public services.
Phil and Tammy aim to raise £3,500 to fund Calm Carts—special kits designed to help doctors, nurses, parents, and carers provide urgent treatment to autistic children in a calm and stress-free way.
The idea comes from Jessie, the founder of Otistic, who experienced first-hand the struggles of taking her non-verbal autistic son, Otis, to A&E. She has since worked tirelessly to improve inclusivity in public services like the NHS, ensuring that autistic children receive the support they need in stressful environments.
“Parents and carers shouldn’t have to fight for everything, but the reality is they do! Healthcare services should have these Calm Carts as standard when treating autistic children,” says Phil.
The Everest Marathon is an annual high-altitude event that celebrates the historic ascent of Everest by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary on May 29, 1953.
To prepare for the race, Phil and Tammy will hike for two weeks to Everest Base Camp, gradually acclimatising to the 5,364m altitude before taking on the gruelling 26.2-mile marathon. Unlike a typical road race, this marathon involves icy terrain, extreme weather, and steep descents, making it one of the toughest endurance challenges in the world.
Phil and Tammy are fully self-funding the trip, ensuring that every penny raised goes directly towards Otistic and the Calm Carts initiative.
🚀 Follow their journey to Everest:
📷 Instagram @runningeverest
💙 Support their fundraiser:
💰 Donate on JustGiving
“Every donation, no matter how small, makes a difference. We need all the support we can get for this unbelievable challenge. Thank you so much for your help!” says Tammy.
This is more than just a race—it’s about changing lives for autistic children in Wigan. Let’s help them smash their target and bring real change to our community!
#RunningForOtistic #EverestMarathon #WiganCommunity #SupportAutism #InclusiveHealthcare
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