STAFF at a business networking company in Gloucestershire are aiming to raise more than £10,000 for the MS Society by climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest.

On Friday, March 24 500 people will participate in BizFit’s Couch to Summit Charity Challenge.

Teams will come together to climb 70,000 steps – the equivalent of Mount Everest from sea level to summit – on the East Stand of the Sixways Stadium in Worcester.

BizFit hopes their networking event will bring together local business owners, employees and potential clients while also supporting people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS).

The company, who also have bases in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, was started in 2016 by Terry Malloy.

He said: “We believe that coming together on a shared endeavour – one embedded in doing something positive for our wider community – encourages people to be more positive and solution-focused.

“The Couch to Summit challenge is also an opportunity to make meaningful business relationships that are based on shared values, which is so important when society seems to be becoming more and more fragmented.”

Multiple sclerosis is a cause that is particularly close to Terry’s heart as a family friend battled the condition for years before she passed away.

He says that her ‘can-do’ mentality and resilience is the source of his inspiration.

“The first time we met, she spoke at my school and her words have stuck with me ever since, he said.

“She always remained such a vibrant and positive person, even after she was diagnosed and I saw how MS slowly took the life out of her.

“MS is so unpredictable and her resilience and optimism, as other people I know in the MS community also have, is a source for inspiration for anyone facing tough times and uncertainty.

“She’s really motivated me to make the most out of life and how I run my business.”

Andy Jarett, area fundraiser at the MS Society, says: “We’re beyond thankful to BizFit for hosting such a brilliant fundraiser in support of the MS community.

“The funds they raise will help us drive innovative research to find more – and better – treatments, and support more than 100,000 people with MS, their families and carers.”

If you’re a business owner, employee or individual who wants to tackle the summit of Everest, sign up for the BizFit Couch to Summit Charity Challenge at www.biz-fit.co.uk/join-us.