AN Oldham mountaineer is believed to have become the first British Bangladeshi to scale Mount Everest.

Akke Rahman,39, from Oldham, reached the peak of the highest mountain in the world on Friday, May,13 at 7.30am Nepal time.

Akke’s expedition management team, Makalu Adventure, confirmed the news the mountaineer had reached the summit of the 8,849-metre peak on Saturday, May 14.

Akke, who started the climb in April while fasting during Ramadan, took on the challenge, named Peak Humanity, to raise funds for Ramadan Family Commitment (RFC), an initiative run by the British Bengali satellite channel, Channel S TV which supports 26 charities including the Orphans Shelter Foundation.

 

The RFC aims to support refugees and families across the globe affected by war, conflict, and poverty.

In 2020 Akke was dubbed the Bengali Mountaineer after he conquered Mount Elbrus within 24 hours.

The Oldhamer scaled Europe's highest peak, which stands 5,642 metres above sea level in Russia, in record time just a few days after having coronavirus.

Akke has also climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and Mont Blanc, the highest mountains of Africa and the Alps, respectively, and Mount Amadablam in the Himalayas.

Commenting on Akke’s latest achievement, Farhan Masud Khan, head of programmes at Channel S TV, said: “It’s great news for all communities in Oldham.

"I personally communicated with the team on Friday several times to follow up on Akke’s health and wellbeing.

“He is doing well and looking forward to coming to the base camp so that he can take rest according to his expedition management team.

“We are still waiting to communicate with Akke as due to altitude it’s almost impossible to communicate with him via regular mobile phone communication."

Mohammed Ahmed Juned, the local lead for the Peak Humanity media campaign, added: “As Oldhamers we are really proud of Akke and all his hard work and hope younger generations will follow his lead.”

To donate to Akke’s Peak Humanity challenge click here