Congratulations to our brilliant team who have successfully completed our arduous Tom Smith Ginza Ridge Challenge in the Northern Japanese Alps.  

In just four days they have summitted four peaks for 40tude, having first climbed the Kassen Ridge, one of the steepest ascents in all of Japan.

This trek was gruelling throughout, and our team showed fortitude in tackling many technical sections using chains and ladders, hours of scrambling over boulders and enduring relentless climbs and descents.  They also coped valiantly with the very early starts, limited sleep, basic facilities and carrying all their own gear.

Led by 40tude’s ambassador Gregor Townsend, and Zoe Smith, wife of our former ambassador and much-missed rugby legend Tom Smith, our team were inspired to keep going in honour of Tom, and his that everything should be done to prevent anyone dying from the avoidable consequences of this preventable type of cancer.

As a result of their valiant efforts, the team have now raised £82,000 of their £100,000 target to establish the Tom Smith Screening Fund to pay for colon cancer screening in younger people.  

40tude is responding to the alarming increase in incidences of bowel cancer in young people.  By 2030, it is expected that colon cancer will be the leading cause of cancer-related death in men and women under 50. (Source: American Cancer Society). 

Thank you to everyone who has donated so far.  If you’d like to congratulate our trekkers on their sterling achievement please go to their fundraising page:

SUPPORT THE TOM SMITH SCREENING FUND

 Well done to everyone in the team, we are very proud of all that you have achieved.