12-07-2025
Newport teen's double Everest challenge raises £4,000 for charity
Oliver Williams, a 15-year-old schoolboy, took 52 hours to cycle 66 laps of Risca bike park on his mountain bike - the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest twice.
He is no stranger to challenges. Last year he cycled 33 laps of the same bike park, which took him more than 24 hours to complete. Oliver was riding through the night with only short breaks along the way.
Oliver's dad Tim said: 'This year, he's pushed himself even further. The goal was to double last year's challenge. That's 66 laps and double Everest elevation in a single ride - a staggering 17,698 meters of climbing and descending.
'For context, that's more than three times the elevation gain of the most mountainous stage ever used in the Tour de France and because he's ridden off-road trails, there was barely any rest, even on the descents.'
Oliver smashed his £500 fundraising target with more than 183 donations raising £4,120.
The money will go to the Wales Air Ambulance, which Oliver has seen in action first-hand, often responding to accidents involving fellow mountain bikers on the hills.
Oliver said: 'When I came up with the idea of completing a double Everest on a mountain bike, my family said it was too much and tried to put me off — especially when they realised that nobody else my age had completed this before. But I'm stubborn and love a challenge!
'Doing it for Wales Air Ambulance felt relevant to me and my sport. The support from the local community especially the Risca Riders, was awesome and kept me going."
Debra Sima, regional fundraising manager for Wales Air Ambulance, said: 'What a huge challenge Oliver set himself. His determination is outstanding, and he should be so proud of himself for completing it.
'Fundraisers, like this, will help us to continue to be there for the people of Wales when they need us most. Oliver has played a part in saving lives across the whole of Wales, thank you so much!'
You can support Oliver at
