The virtual Mount Everest Climb was second challenge of this kind employees at the Solihull-based firm have taken part in during the pandemic and staff have found some rather resourceful ways of simulating the epic adventure.

The challenge, set by Acorns Hospice, was to climb the same height as Mount Everest.

Two PSL employees took on the challenge and raised money for the charity by climbing stairs, cycling up hills and climbing Mount Snowdon.

David Breeze, QA Lead at Phoebus Software, said, “I completed the task by climbing the Lickey Hills every night which was roughly 300 metres per evening over a five week period and two climbs up Mount Snowdon.”

David Marsden-Green , meanwhile, took 34 days to climb a total of 9,455 metres in the first Mount Everest challenge. He said: “The first climb, although physically challenging, was enjoyable as it was mostly done in summer conditions.

“The second was a different story. With the weather turning towards the end of September, it got much colder, wetter, darker earlier and the conditions became heavier and harder going.”

During the first national lockdown, 30 PSL staff members also raised money for Acorns Hospice by covering the 874 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End.

This was achieved through a mix of walking, running, and cycling and was completed in less than ten days, so the team decided to carry on.

One employee decided to run 5k every day for the entire month. At the end of the challenge, the total distance covered was the same as travelling from the UK to the North Pole.

Richard Pike, sales and marketing director of Phoebus Software Limited’s, “We continuously encourage our team members to take part in charitable giving both inside and outside of the workplace.

“We do all that we can to support them and what David and the team have done during lockdown has both lifted morale at PSL and raised over £2,000 for such a deserving charity.

“We hope this money will provide families with a home away from home during these increasingly challenging and uncertain times.”

The money raised will go towards supporting children with tailored care plans, including emergency and end of life care, short breaks, as well as emotional and practical support.