Man with rare condition reaches Everest Base Camp

A man who was told he would not live beyond his fourth birthday has completed a climb to Mount Everest base camp for a charity which supported him as a child.

Archie Thompson, 24, from Chesterfield, was diagnosed as a baby with MOMO syndrome, an extremely rare genetic condition with fewer than 10 known cases worldwide. The disorder causes rapid growth, including the eyes and head.

Despite a series of early health problems - including two heart attacks before the age of two - he has now completed the mammoth challenge in order to give back to children's charity, Demelza.

Defying the odds, Archie said: "It was everything I hoped it would be."

Archie weighed four stone by the time he was 15-months-old and had reached six stone by aged two.

The condition placed a huge strain on his heart and lungs, and doctors told his family they did not expect him to live past the age of four.

By aged three, he and his family were being supported by the charity.

He said he has fond memories of the hospice in Sittingbourne, Kent, where he recalls loving the hydro pool and sensory lights.

Now 24, he has defied the odds of his original prognosis.

After 20 months of training, Archie has now climbed to Everest Base Camp, in aid of the children's charity which supported him and his family in the early stages of his condition.

Archie was part of a group of 23 fundraisers who took on the trek.

After flying into Kathmandu, Nepal, the hikers began their journey. The group endured sun, snow and the effects of altitude sickness before reaching their destination

As well as spectacular scenery, the group endured snow, sun and the effects of altitude but after eight days of trekking and supporting each other, they all reached Base Camp which stands at 5,364m (17,598 ft).

Their descent back down the mountain was cut short due to the weather, and they ended up with a helicopter ride back to Kathmandu to celebrate their achievement.

Archie, who works as a bar manager at a hotel, had trained hard for the challenge, and said before the trek that it was something of a bucket list thing to do – and it didn't disappoint.

"To actually finally get there and see it all in person was quite a surreal experience - to know all the hard work and training had paid off. It was absolutely incredible," he said.

He added: "On Base Camp day I did feel nauseous and had a bit of a headache, but it was just a case of going slowly, taking breaks when needed and drinking a lot of water.

"They were a cracking bunch of people all supporting each other – we all just cracked on and got on with it."

Archie said he got "pretty lucky" with the effects of his condition, but added he has always felt it is about "making the most of it and living every second, without regrets".

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