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Rob Vivian, CEO of Clevedon-based telecoms company, PureComms, has been a staunch supporter of Children’s Hospice South West (CHSW) for many years. In 2016 Rob embarked upon a 2-day trek to reach the 4101m high peak of Mount Kinabalu in Borneo. Persistent tropical rain meant the group he was with was prevented from completing the final 400m ascent to the summit, however, Rob and his trekking companion Chris Hall raised over £4,380 for CHSW. In 2017 the duo took on another epic challenge – walking across Costa Rica from the Pacific to the Atlantic coast and raised £3,657.

In November 2019, feeling the draw of another overseas challenge, Rob and Chris along with friend John Fowler, decided to cycle from Mumbai to Goa. Rob said: “We cycled just under 500km and climbed three-quarters of the height of Everest in 5 days. At points the temperature hit 42c and I lost half a stone in 5 days; it was brutal! The countryside was stunning – but we saw real poverty, pollution and a lot of litter. We also ate curry for lunch and dinner every day… I was a bit sick of that by the end!” Rob and friends raised £2,892 for CHSW from the cycling challenge.

We cycled just under 500km and climbed three-quarters of the height of Everest in 5 days. At points the temperature hit 42c and I lost half a stone in 5 days; it was brutal!

Amanda Gallagher, Corporate Partnerships Fundraiser at CHSW said: “We’d like to thank Rob and his trusted companions for taking on such incredible challenges. Rob has inspired many of his colleagues at PureComms to support the cause and fundraise for CHSW in a variety of ways. His extraordinary challenges, which he funds himself, have raised such an incredible amount for CHSW. We can’t wait to see where his next adventures take him!”

Rob has visited CHSW’s Charlton Farm hospice on a number of occasions and has seen first-hand where the funds go. He explained how it motivates him to take on these challenges: “I have always been struck by what an amazingly supportive environment is there. The support that is provided to families is not replicated anywhere else; and it is vital that this continues! For me, I think pushing myself to tackle seriously challenging tasks ensures I get the maximum amount of sponsorship! That way a little bit of hardship actually goes a long way… when I’m sharing a tent with half a jungle’s worth of bugs and spiders, with the rain hammering down you know you’re making a difference!”