Michael's Aconcagua Climb!
Saturday 27th January 2024
UK
1858
MAG Fund (Company)
MAG is a leading UK airport group and owns and operates three UK airports - Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands. This corporate fundraising page will be used to collect donations for MAG's chosen charities - Magic Breakfast, The Children's Society and Medcare. All funds donated will be shared with our charities, after covering any advanced donations paid.
Michael's Aconcagua Climb!
This January, EMA STM Michael McCorkindale will climb Aconcagua, the second highest of the world's 7 summits and the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas for our MAG charities; The Children's Society, Magic Breakfast and Medcare.
Michael will complete his 6,960.8 m (22,837 ft) climb across 23 days - 27th Jan through to 18th Feb and would love your support in raising as much as possible for our charities, supporting the lives of young people.
Here Michael shares his story about why he sets these challenges for himself...
A short story full of different emotions, there have been more ups and downs than mountains I have climbed, but where did it all begin? Why take on these beasts of a challenge? Why should you donate and help those who need it most?
Let’s go back to the beginning, I had a rocky start in life being in and out of hospital from birth until my mid-teens with an illness. I guess it kept me out of trouble and I did get my own room! However, I remember sitting next to the hospital window at night looking out at the stars… thinking will I ever get out of here? Will I ever be normal? What did I do wrong? Why me? It was difficult being a kid and not having the answers, it was difficult entering life with one parent. It was difficult to make friends in my condition, and when I wasn’t in hospital I could never join in with the other kids. In fact, when I was home, I spent the majority of my time in my room, it became my safe space. My mum did an amazing job raising me and my siblings, at times we were also faced with some sort of violence but mum always had our back. I did want to be strong, but when I was fourteen, I gave up. Fortunately, it didn’t work out and I am honoured to still be here today. When I was 16 my illness was controlled and I could live a normal life, but how do you do this when you have hidden away for so long? These are the questions many children ask themselves today, I’m here to help them find answers.
Now I could live a normal life, I wanted to do everything! I decided to focus on fitness which led me to joining the army, my time in the military gave me the confidence, discipline and sense of adventure that I needed in my life.
After leaving the army I wanted to really spread my wings! I decided to go crazy and live life beyond the limits. I have many adventures, stories and near-misses to share… everything from travelling the world, back packing across Egypt, picking up wild snakes, swimming with sharks, marathons, being lost at sea in a dingy with one oar and a bottle of whiskey, accidently cutting myself in Tutankhamun’s Tomb, experiencing venom poisoning after being washed into a coral, climbing the roof of Africa on Kilimanjaro, expedition leading over a hundred people around the peaks of the UK, the list goes on and on… And now, signing up to my biggest challenge to date “Aconcagua” another step closer to the stars.
If I could talk to 14 years old me and tell myself what life has in store, I wouldn’t have made the decision that could have ended in an early life.
It breaks my heart knowing there are people out there who feel helpless. I want those children who look out of the window at the stars asking all those questions to know… it’s okay and to never give up. So please donate, we need children to know they are not alone, we need the right medication to treat people and we need to help those who have less.
I’m taking the next step, will you take it with me?
Look out for updates from Michael during his training for Aconcagua and news direct from the mountain during the climb itself!
Michael heads to BBC Radio Derby
Today Michael headed to BBC Radio Derby to be interviewed by DJ Twiggy for an upcoming interview that will be played out on the radio very soon (we'll be sure to give a date when we know when!) Flying the flag for Team EMA and our charity partners!
3 likes
Yorkshire Three Peaks
Thank you all so much for your donations! The charities are going to really benefit from your kindness.
Wednesday 8th November we completed the Yorkshire 3 Peaks challenge, this was my 10th successful time. Only this time I carried alot of the equipment that I will be ascending Aconcagua with. I will keep you all updated with my training between now and the Aconcagua 🙌
3 likes£2,399.17
+£337.50 Gift Aid
by 53 supporters
Supporters 53
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3 months
Anonymous
€ 10.00
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B3 months
Becky and Nige
Good luck!! Such an amazing inspirational story 👏 ❤️ wishing you all the best 👍
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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3 months, 1 week
Anonymous
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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K3 months, 1 week
Katy
Good luck Michael. Looking forward to hearing all about it when you get home.
Love Katy, Adam, Jacob and Lib xx
£ 50.00 (+£12.50)
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B3 months, 2 weeks
Bryan and Liz
Wishing you the best of luck Michael, we know you can do it! Looking forward to celebrating after with you. Love Bryan & Liz xx
£ 50.00 (+£12.50)
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R3 months, 3 weeks
Royal Mail EMA
Good luck with your climb.
Best Wishes
Royal Mail EMA£ 200.00 (+£50.00)
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3 months, 3 weeks
Michael
At East Midlands Airport an anonymous passenger gave £100 to Danny (EMA Police Officer), to go towards the three charities on this amazing expedition. So, "anonymous passenger" if you are reading this thank you so so much! What an amazing gesture, I hope you are well and enjoyed your journey through our amazing Airport. The charities are really going to benefit because of yourself and everyone else here who have made donations. Thank you all.
£ 100.00 (+£25.00)
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4 months, 3 weeks
Nadine
Wonderful watching the video and hearing your story. Good luck
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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T5 months, 1 week
Trevor Smith
Wishing you every success, a true inspiration to us all, go smash it Michael.
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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M5 months, 1 week
Marcus Yeomans
A great challenge and wishing you the very best of luck on your challenge.
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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M5 months, 2 weeks
Maria Siva
What and incredible story behind your efforts! Massive admiration 👏
£ 10.00
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F5 months, 2 weeks
Faye Cochrane
What an inspirational man!
Thanks for sharing your story, I look forward to following your progress£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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5 months, 2 weeks
Anonymous
£ 20.00
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L5 months, 2 weeks
Lesley Hall
Michael - you are nothing short of blooming amazing! Thank you for supporting our charities it really does mean the world!
£ 30.00 (+£7.50)
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5 months, 3 weeks
Anonymous
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D5 months, 3 weeks
Dhiren Mistry
Michael you've shown great resilience, determination in your life and I know this will get you through the challenge of climbing Aconcagua , all the very best.
£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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J5 months, 3 weeks
Joe Chapman, Head of Corporate Affairs
Massive respect. What a huge effort. I wish you all the best.
Joe
£ 20.00
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J5 months, 3 weeks
Jonathan Davies
Michael, your story is as inspirational as your challenge. Wishing you all the best on your adventure in Argentina.
£ 30.00 (+£7.50)
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A5 months, 3 weeks
Alex Langford
Good luck in your adventure. 'People do not decide to become extraordinary, they decide to accomplish extraordinary things'.
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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A5 months, 3 weeks
Alison Gibson
Hi Mike
Making it happen - so much personal strength and will. Just another reason you are amazing.£ 20.00 (+£5.00)
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A5 months, 4 weeks
Anthea
Very best of luck Michael!! You're such an inspiration xxx
£ 10.00 (+£2.50)
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R5 months, 4 weeks
Rupes
Totally moved by your story. Go well and enjoy looking out over the world when you get there :-)
£ 50.00 (+£12.50)
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A5 months, 4 weeks
Andy Hudson
Wow, amazing and very moving story, important message and a fantastic challenge, good luck Michael!
£ 50.00 (+£12.50)
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L6 months
Lucy Breedon-Sharp
Good luck Michael! I know that if anybody can do this, then it's you! Get back home to me safe, so that you can take on your ultimate goal!! xxx
£ 100.00 (+£25.00)
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J6 months
Jess Hosier
Best of luck on this huge challenge Michael ! We all know you will absolutely smash it!
£ 50.00 (+£12.50)
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A6 months, 1 week
Amal
All the best! Have a sip of whiskey on my behalf at the top! 🏆
£ 50.00 (+£12.50)
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