Adventurer Attempts ‘Everesting’ Challenge for Disaster Relief

PARK CITY, Utah – Steven Tonkinson, an accomplished endurance athlete and first responder to disasters, next week will attempt an “Everesting” challenge in Park City, seeking to hike the altitude of Mount Everest, 29,029 feet, in 36 hours – all while wearing a 25-pound ShelterBox on his back. 

Tonkinson is seeking to raise awareness and funds for ShelterBox, a global disaster relief organization that provides shelter and other essential items immediately following a disaster, or during prolonged conflicts. He’s launched an online campaign to raise $29,029, one dollar for every foot he’ll climb.  

He is a member of the ShelterBox Response Team, a highly trained group that deploys around the world. Tonkinson has deployed 15 times, including to Sri Lanka, Fiji, and Haiti.  

“I know firsthand the value and importance of what we do,” Tonkinson said. “There’s over 130 million people displaced from their homes right now. That number is growing with every disaster, war, conflict, or drought that’s impacting our world. It’s important we know that organizations like ShelterBox are helping those who have lost their homes.” 

ShelterBox was launched in 2000 by a Rotary Club in Cornwall, England. Since then, it has helped more than 2 million people, responding to more than 300 disasters or conflicts in nearly 100 countries, often by sending its iconic green ShelterBox filled with a tent and other aid items to the world’s most hard to reach places. Recently, ShelterBox has provided thousands with mattresses, tools, and other essentials in Ukraine, as well as those forced from their homes by the drought and famine in Eastern Africa.  

Tonkinson embodies what makes ShelterBox volunteers special, said ShelterBox USA President Kerri Murray. 

“Steve’s dedication to ShelterBox USA’s mission – a world where no family is without shelter after disaster – is unparalleled,” Murray said. “He has helped countless families around the world who have lost everything in an instant following a disaster, and we’re ready to cheer him on as he embarks on this adventure for ShelterBox.” 

Tonkinson is no stranger to endurance sports, or doing them with a large green ShelterBox strapped to his back. He’s run the Miami Marathon or Half Marathon every year for the last 20 years, including completing the full marathon while hauling a ShelterBox. 

He is also a ShelterBox USA ambassador, inductee of its fundraising Hall of Fame and, and serves on its Board of Directors. This quest will make him ShelterBox’s first official “Adventurer,” a new program for volunteers to take on feats and raise awareness for the global charity.  

Tonkinson, a Miami native, was initially drawn to ShelterBox after his family lost its home in 1992’s Hurricane Andrew.  

“It was amazing to see the impact a disaster like that can have on a community. The level of devastation, and how a community can come together in these times of crisis and really help each other out,” he said. “I was so amazed by that.” 

He has been volunteering for ShelterBox since 2008. He hopes everyone who sees him with the green box on his back while training or during the event, will develop a connection with the organization.  

“We need to think more globally and be a global community,” he said. “ShelterBox does that, and in a special and specific way. I hope people learn about that and want to be involved.” 

More information available at https://www.shelterboxusa.org/everesting-challenge/