30/06/2006 09:00
Rex Pemberton, the youngest Australian to summit Mt Everest, will make a surprise visit to the John Hunter Children’s Hospital this Thursday to meet the kids and present a cash donation on behalf of AAPT to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

The $2,500 donation consisting of $500 raised by Novacastrians at the Hunter on Show with a generous addition of $2,000 from AAPT, will kick-start a community fundraising drive to help the NICU purchase a much needed transport unit to transfer ill or injured babies from the hospital to helicopter.

The new transport unit is half the weight of the current unit and will make the transfer from the hospital to the helicopter easier for staff to manage and ultimately safer for the baby on board.

Following delivery of the donation to the NICU, Rex will drop into the hospital’s Starlight Express Room and spend some time with the children sharing his mountaineering adventures, inspiration and motivation. Captain Starlight will also pop in to visit the kids and meet Rex.

“Mount Everest is more than a personal achievement; it gives me the opportunity to show young people all over the world that anything is possible. I’m excited to be meeting the kids at the John Hunter Hospital and listening to their fears and obstacles – and of course presenting the much needed funds to help the unit”, says Rex.

At just 21 years old, Rex Pemberton has reached five of the world’s seven highest mountain peaks, including Mount Everest in May 2005. His latest feat was only two weeks ago when he summited the highest mountain in Europe – Mt Elbrus in Russia.

Thanks to AAPT and the Newcastle community, the NICU believes that the donation will encourage others to support the unit that cares for over 800 critically ill premature infants each year as well as being responsible for 4,000 inborn babies and 10,000 regional babies.

Neonatologist Dr Paul Craven said “donations like the one from AAPT, bring us one step closer to our target and we are sincerely grateful for their support and the community’s support”.

To help raise money towards the $180,000 transport unit, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit will be holding a fundraising ‘Spring Soiree Ball’ at the Newcastle Town Hall on 16 September 2006. To support the NICU or book your seat/table, please phone (02) 4921 4362.

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For further information, photographs or to arrange an interview with Rex Pemberton, contact:
Jules Carter
Insite Organisation – on behalf of AAPT/Rex Pemberton
Ph: 02 9455 9517
Mb: 0412 577 883
jules@insiteorg.com

About AAPT
AAPT sponsored Rex Pemberton’s successful Everest bid in 2005, and is also supporting Rex’s latest endeavour to become the Youngest Australian to Summit the world’s seven highest peaks in less than two years.

AAPT provides a range of voice, mobile, data and Internet services to business, government, wholesale and residential customers throughout Australia, supported by an extensive national voice and data network. AAPT is part of the Telecom New Zealand Group. For more information on AAPT, visit www.aapt.com.au

About Rex Pemberton
As a young achiever Rex has learnt the power of compelling goals and strong belief. Since the age of 5 he has been eager to climb and travel all over the world.

Rex has climbed, traveled and led expeditions in six of the seven continents of the world, including famous ascents such as Mt Cook and Mt Aspiring in New Zealand plus the Matterhorn, and Mt Blanc in the European Alps. In 1999 at the tender age of 16, Rex climbed a 20,000ft peak in Peru. He is truly a person who does not stop following his dreams and goals.

On May 31, 2005 Rex made history becoming the youngest Australian to climb to the summit of Mt Everest at 21 years of age.

His adventures have been featured heavily on radio in the press and television throughout Australia and the world.

Rex won Australian Geographic’s Young Adventurer of the year award and has set up his businesses. He also features as a lead climber and facilitator in the Peak Teams Mountain based programs, and now combines his experiences in the mountains with his education in business management to deliver inspiring presentations on living the life you have imagined and overcoming the obstacles put before us.

For more information on Rex Pemberton, visit www.rexpemberton.com.au and to view his latest Summit photos online at www.aapt.com.au/photos