School abuse survivors raise £48,000 from Everest trek

From left to right: Frazer Macdonald, Adrian Blakemore, Graham Sneddon, Neil Russell, Neil Macdonald, Nial Mackinlay and Giles Moffatt

A group of child abuse survivors from a private school in Edinburgh have trekked to Mount Everest in support of a children’s charity.

Team Uprising, led by former Edinburgh Academy pupil Giles Moffat, reached base camp on the world’s highest mountain to raise money for NSPCC.

Giles, 51, was joined by fellow survivors Neil MacDonald, Neil Russell and Nial Mackinlay in the 11-strong team – which also included friends, charity backers and family members.

The four all experienced abuse at the fee-paying school, but say they have created “good from evil” after raising more than £48,000 for the organisation.

The group reached Everest Base Camp 5,364 m (17,598 ft) above sea level on 12 April.

They had spent several weekends training in Glencoe after connecting through a survivors’ group set up by Mr Moffat on WhatsApp.

In total, they raised £48,106 for the charity.

Mr Moffat had attempted to push further on towards the summit but was forced to turn back after suffering a high altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE).

The condition involves a build-up of fluid in the lungs, which can be fatal if left untreated.

Mr Moffat led the climb, but was twice forced to turn back due to serious illness

He returned to the mountain for three weeks for a second attempt at the summit, but suffered a different illness and had to abandon the push.

“A year ago, the members of Team Uprising were strangers, now we are friends for life,” he said.

“Eleven of us made it to base camp and one of us made it to the summit, but most importantly, everyone made it back safely.

“Out of evil, much good has come.”

Several members of the group suffered abuse at Edinburgh Academy

Mr Moffat, 51, was among a number of former pupils of the fee-paying school to give evidence to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry about his experiences.

He also spoke at the examination of facts hearing of former teacher John Brownlee, alongside BBC presenter Nicky Campbell, in March.

Brownlee was described as a “sadist” by a judge who found he did abuse pupils at the school over a 20-year period following the hearing.

The school has since apologised for the abuse.