The former Phones 4u boss, entrepreneur John Caudwell, will provide a massive ?500K cash donation to the Xtreme Everest medical experiment. This was announced at The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust, Archway, London, on Thursday January 4 2007.

Dr Mike Grocott, Expedition Leader said, ?John, his brother Brian and four friends were one of the first groups of people to volunteer to take part in the medical experiment that involves treks to Everest Base Camp. Once he heard in detail about the serious medical science being explored, he decided to give the project his full support with a massive ?500k cash donation.?

?This is a wonderful boost for a British-led scientific experiment that is already gaining international acclaim. John should be applauded for his far-sightedness and generosity. Basically, John has so much faith in this medical project he has decided to buy into it, heart and soul plus hard cash.?

John Caudwell has already raised over ?8 million for the Caudwell Charity that assists children with medical conditions (see link on right of page). This new cash boost comes at a crucial time for the UCL medical team who need the funds to complete their clinical work.

John Caudwell said, ?The fact that a close knit team of 40 doctors are conducting ground-breaking research on over 200 volunteers, that could ultimately benefit thousands of people in critical care, makes this a great cause to support.?

Dr Mike Grocott added, ?The medical team successfully completed a full dress rehearsal on the Himalayan peak, Cho Oyu (8,201 m) in the autumn and are set to leave the UK in just twelve weeks? time.?

The ?1.5 million medical experiment is being almost entirely funded by private enterprise. BOC Medical have provided ?300k support and a number of other organisations, including The London Clinic and Eli Lilly have also given cash assistance.

John Caudwell was the chairman and chief executive of the Caudwell Group, which included the Phones 4u retail stores. As one of the country?s foremost entrepreneurs, John built the Caudwell Group into Europe?s leading independent mobile telecoms company.

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