Young Williamstown residents Jesse and Chelsea Coulson, along with their mother Sylvie and father Neal, will trek to Mount Everest’s base camp in September. 67749 Picture: SARAH MATRAY
By Alesha Capone
TWO small Williamstown residents will soon go on a big journey up Mount Everest to raise money for an orphanage in Kathmandu.
In September, Jesse and Chelsea Coulson, aged just 11 and nine, are planning to climb to the Mount Everest base camp in Nepal, along with their mother Sylvie and father Neal.
The adventurous family, who are busy training for their ascent to around 5400 metres above sea level, are undertaking the trek to raise money for the Sunrise Children’s Association.
The orphanage, started by Australian Emma Taylor in 2005, cares for around 80 children and runs training programs for youngsters living in slums.
Mrs Coulson said she believed her two children could be the youngest Australians to attempt the climb to Mount Everest’s base camp.
Last year, a pair of NSW siblings aged 13 and 10 made the journey.
Jesse, who is in Grade 5 at Williamstown North Primary School, said he and Chelsea recently spent four hours hiking up a mountain as part of their pre-Everest training.
“Some of my friends think it’s really good that I’m going up,” he said.
“From the top, I reckon I might be able to see the mountain of course and lots of other mountains.
“I might see some yaks, some good views, rivers, it might be snowy.
“It’s a lot of hard work too. A lot of people will be relying on us, so it’s lots of pressure too.”
When they were aged five and six, Jesse and his sister made the climb to the Mount Everest base camp from the Tibetan side.
Their Mum and Dad also climbed to the Nepalese base camp 12 years ago.
“I think for the children to experience the journey, the icing on the cake will be when we get to base camp,” Mrs Coulson said.
“I’ve sort of said to them it will probably be quite difficult, you go through lots of body changes at high altitudes so you might feel tired and lethargic and find it hard to keep going.
“But what’s important is not just the destination but also the journey, to experience the highs and lows, the good and bad as a family, going through villages along the way and meeting the children.”
The family is aiming to raise at least $2500 for the Sunrise Children’s Association.
See www.givenow.com.au or www.mycause.com.au to donate.
