Tackling Everest for Amnesty International

This year, Aaran McCoy Douglas, a university student, and family friend, got in touch to tell me about the mission he was preparing to tackle in aid of Amnesty International. Aaran has always been the adventurous sort, but with a strong passion for his fellow human being, something that has developed in his time at Glasgow University. 

When we met, Aaran pitched the idea of climbing to Everest base camp to raise humanitaian aid for the various war-torn zones around that world in desperate need of support. At Eden Scott we have always been passionate about giving back and supporting charities at home and further afield. The prospect of climbing to base camp on the worlds highest peak is exactly the type of challenge that the team at Eden Scott love, so we were happy to support Aaran on his way. 

Here is a little insight into his journey, his motivation, and why we are so proud of him and his groups acheivements.

Can you tell us what you were raising money for and why it was important to you?

I chose to raise money for Amnesty International – the world’s largest human rights charity – because I was increasingly aware of the turbulence in global news surrounding human rights violations, particularly in places like Israel, Palestine, and Ukraine, where Amnesty works directly on the ground. When I investigated further, I discovered that their work extends to many other vital areas closer to home in the UK, including women’s rights, migration, and poverty.

As a university student who works part-time and enjoys a social life ; ) , I realised I wasn’t making as much of a positive contribution to society as I’d like. Supporting Amnesty International gave me a way to do something meaningful and contribute to the global community.
 

Can you tell us why you chose to tackle Everest?

A friend of mine was organising the trip and invited me to join. The name “Everest” carries such prestige and challenge that it instantly appealed to me. I’ve also always wanted to visit Nepal and experience its culture firsthand, so it felt like the perfect combination of adventure, purpose, and personal growth.

How much training did you have to do beforehand?

I trained quite a lot before the trip. Between October and June, I climbed over 40 Munros in Scotland - having only done two in my life before that! I also trained at the gym once a week, using the Stairmaster for 30 minutes at a fast pace (not something I’d recommend, it was brutal!).
 

What were your feelings when you set off? 

When I set off, I was both nervous and excited - nervous about the weather and the effects of altitude, but excited for the adventure ahead. I went with a group of 29 people, many of whom I’d met through fundraising events over the previous year.

Together, our group raised over £75,000 for Amnesty International, which was an incredible total!

How long did it take you to complete the trek, and what was the hardest part of the challenge?

The trek took 11 days to complete (although we were trapped in Lukla at the end for another 5 days because of poor weather). The toughest moment came on the day we summited Kala Patthar—we had to wake up at 4 a.m., hike in the cold, in complete darkness. And there was no view of the sunrise at the top, only mist and clouds, but it was still cool to go over 5,000m.
 

How does it feel having completed the trek?

It feels amazing, incredibly rewarding and humbling. It was an unforgettable life experience, and I’m so grateful to have been able to raise that much money for such an important cause while exploring such a spectacular part of the world.

I enjoyed it so much that I’m now organising a student fundraiser trip myself - to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in summer 2026, again in aid of Amnesty International. We already have 24 people signed up!

What message would you give to anyone thinking about taking on a challenge like a trek to Everest Base Camp?

Go for it! Although it is very cliché, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is how you grow, and it’s often not as bad as you think (though I probably didn’t need to torture myself with the stair master every week!).

That said, do your research and make sure you’re physically healthy before taking on a high-altitude challenge, it’s not without risks. Sadly, someone in a group ahead of us passed away from high-altitude pulmonary oedema, which was a sobering reminder of the importance of preparation and awareness.

But overall, it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done, challenging, inspiring, and deeply fulfilling.