'Climbing Everest' on a step box for 'joyful' girl

The group raised money for the Amber Townson Foundation

Members of a CrossFit group have 'stepped' their way to the height of the world's tallest mountain in memory of a young girl who died suddenly.

Members of the Henleaze and Trym club in Bristol box-stepped nearly 9,000 metres - the equivalent of the summit of Mount Everest - in only 24 hours.

The group raised more than £18,000 for the Amber Townson foundation, set up after the two-year-old died in 2023.

Tara Townson, Amber's mother and founder of the foundation, said having the support felt "amazing".

Ten-year-old Joe was part of the group that took on the step challenge

Ms Townson added: "One night I put Amber to sleep and she didn't wake up.

"I had never heard of Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood (SUDC) and I want to raise more awareness of it."

She said research and understanding into SUDC is limited.

"We want to make a difference and ensure no parent endures the heartbreak of losing a child without reason," added Ms Townson.

She said after Amber was born, they would go to a CrossFit class for mothers and children.

"It was something we did together all her life," she said, adding this gave her the idea for the step challenge.

'Hardest challenge'

Each member of the team racked up 17,420 steps to reach the same height as Everest.

The money raised will be used for research into SUDC and to support affected families.

Adam Turpin, owner of two CrossFit gyms in north Bristol, said: “This was the hardest challenge I’ve ever done, but it was all worth it.

"The support from the local community on the day was amazing and all the kind donations kept us going."