Watch as stair-climbing Steph completes Everest challenge in Northampton home

A Northampton woman who dedicated her entire Easter weekend to climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest on her stairs says the support she has received has been ‘overwhelming’.

Steph Steward, who works as a fundraiser for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, had to climb the 13 stairs in her Moulton home 3,871 times to reach the peak of the mountain.

Despite the mental challenge and ‘jelly legs’, Steph successfully completed the challenge and smashed her original fundraising target of £200, as she has currently raised £2,005.

The 33-year-old said: “I’m overwhelmed by the support, especially from people I don’t know, as well as my friends and family who support me every time I do something like this.

“I’m grateful to everyone for helping me raise this much.”

To complete the mammoth climb, Steph spent between seven and nine hours a day, for four days, walking up and down her stairs.

She added: “It was tougher than I thought it would be.

“On the second day I knew what was coming but it took me ages and I didn’t finish until about 9pm. I was practically crawling the last few flights.

“I had a few ice baths as well, they were horrible but they did help.”

While she was spending so many hours climbing the same stairs, Steph needed to occupy her mind.

As well as chatting to her husband, Steph managed to find a number of ways to keep herself amused.

“I was reading my book, I had loads of FaceTime calls from friends and family and I even had a stair disco at one point,” Steph continued.

“I also started watching a TV programme on my phone.

“And there were a few other people doing challenges at the same time, so we’d do steps together. It felt like a big community for MND.

“We did Facebook lives and videos. It was almost like everyone was supporting each other. I felt like they were there with me.”

On the third day of the challenge, Steph managed to get up earlier and power through ahead of the final day.

She said: “The last day was the hardest.

“I knew I was almost at the finish, but it felt so long and it felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere.

“I ran up the last few flights. It was so great to finish.

“It was a tough mental battle, not going out of the house for four days. Even though I’m only going for a walk or to the supermarket.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been in the house for four days straight, but it showed me what MND sufferers and other vulnerable people are going through as they’re in the house for a minimum of 12 weeks.”

Two days on from completing the challenge, Steph says her calves are still hurting but not as badly as when she first finished.

“I have run marathons and it felt very similar to that,” Steph added.

“I would recommend doing it though. It was great for fitness and meant I could eat a lot of Easter eggs.

“Now I want to do the Three Peaks challenge when we come out of lockdown.

“I’ve thought about it a while and this has made me think I can do it. I’d like to actually see a view at the top of the mountain.”

Steph is still welcoming donations via her JustGiving page.

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