'These individuals deserve a better life': Winnipeg teacher headed to Everest to raise money for St. Amant

A Winnipeg teacher has been training seven hours a day to prepare for thetop of the world and hoping to give a lift toManitobans with developmental disabilities.

DalipShekhawat,a special education teacher at St. AmantSchool, will set out in April to climb Everest, Earth's highest mountain above sea level.

The43-year-old has climbedmore than 15 other mountains, but never anything as challenging as Everest. This time, though, hehas extra incentive.

He has been gathering pledges for his climb, with the money going to the St. AmantFoundation. The foundation funds programs atthe St. Amant Centre a non-profitorganization that provides resources for Manitobans with developmental disabilities and autism.

Every day I see the difference we make in these individuals' lives we support.- DalipShekhawat

The school is operated by the centre.

"Every day I see the difference we make in these individuals' lives we support. And these individuals deserve a better life," Shekhawat said.

"All the funds we raise will be used to give them access to recreational and leisure resources."

Waving the flags

He also intends to take someof his work with him. He'll be carrying a St. Amant flag, which he will wave when he reaches the8,848-metre peak.

He'll also be carrying a flag for theRoyal Winnipeg Rifles, a reserve infantry regiment of the Canadian Forces, of which he is a member.

"This will be my shout-out to those two great organizations,"Shekhawat said.

His journey willstart in the first week of April. He'lltrek five to six hours a day and estimates itwill take 50-60 days to finish the trip.