My family thought I was mad to attempt Everest with no previous climbing experience

You’d be hard-pressed to find a better representative for one of the world’s finest mountaineering brands than Bonita Norris – the youngest British woman in history to climb Mount Everest. At the tender age of just 22 and with just two years’ high-altitude experience under her climbing belt, this inspirational Karrimor brand ambassador now holds two mountaineering records.

The first of these came in 2009, when she became the youngest woman in history to reach the false summit of Mount Manaslu in the Himalayas. Manaslu is the world’s eighth highest mountain at 8163m, and this expedition saw Bonita negotiating a mile-long crevasse field, as well as avalanche-prone slopes and near vertical walls of ice and snow.

The Karrimor star, a disability assistant from Berkshire, didn’t always plan to climb Everest. In fact, Bonita suffered with the eating disorder bulimia in her teens – but instead of bowing to her illness, she fought it head-on, throwing herself determinedly into her hobby of fell running to help her change her focus. From there, she decided she needed to set herself the challenge of a lifetime. Climbing Everest soon became the ultimate goal.

“Once I’d decided to climb Everest, I was determined to reach my goal no matter how long it took,” Bonita reflects. “Despite my lack of climbing experience, I was passionate about inspiring others to pursue their dreams, and having achieved my dream, I want to help show people that they can do anything they want if they put their mind to it.

“My family thought I was mad to attempt Everest as an inexperienced climber, but despite their initial misgivings, they’ve been incredibly supportive throughout my journey.”

It was in May last year that Bonita became the youngest British woman to reach the summit of Everest – a defining moment in the climber’s life and one that she’ll remember for the rest of her life. Better still, Bonita’s record-breaking climb has done more than raise awareness of the Karrimor brand – it’s also raised £13,000 for Global Angels, a charity championing the causes of children all over the world.

Bonita’s ‘will-do’ approach made her the perfect addition to Karrimor’s elite team of athletes. As an amazing role model for young people and an inspiration to all, Bonita is set to become a great ambassador for the brand.

As Pete Gostling, Marketing Manager for Karrimor points out, “Bonita’s attitude epitomises all that is Karrimor. Her achievement and ambition really reflect the intention of the brand.

“We’re delighted to have her on board, and look forward to teaming up on some exciting projects.”

Speaking about her partnership with Karrimor, Bonita said: “Although I’ve climbed the tallest mountain in the world, I am nowhere near the peak of my career, and I’ve every intention of achieving much more in years to come.

Karrimor has always been at the forefront of mountaineering, so there’s really no better sponsor to help me push myself to the next level.”

Bonita has several exciting adventures planned for this year, including a summer climbing tour, and traversing the Cuillin Ridge on the Isle of Skye. She would also like to return to the Himalayas in autumn.

To follow Bonita’s exploits, visit her blog at www.bonitanorris.com.