King Power Group Hong Kong (HK) Group Chief Executive Officer and Asia Pacific Travel Retail Association (APTRA) President Sunil Tuli has made it over the US$80,000 line in his fundraising trek for international cleft charity Smile Train.

The remarkable achievement was aided by a £1,000/$1,250 contribution from TRBusiness following Tuli’s valiant effort in successfully hiking more than 17,500 ft to Mount Everest’s base camp.

Tuli was greeted by the donation – much to his surprise – during the TFWA World Exhibition & Conference (2-5 October).

Watch the below video to hear more about Tuli’s fundraising quest – and witness his reaction to a donation that helped him shatter the $80,000 mark.

For the uninitiated, Tuli embarked on his Himalayan expedition in September in pursuit of a lifelong ambition to ascend 5,400 metres over 14 days to one of Mount Everest’s fabled starting points.

Fulfilling a lifelong dream…

Situated on the crest of the Great Himalayas of southern Asia on the border between Nepal and Tibet’s autonomous region, Everest’s peak measures 8,849 metres, making it the highest mountain in the world above sea level.

Tuli’s initial target of $70,000, broken earlier this year, will help to support surgeries and care for 200 children.

One hundred percent of the donations raised by his adventure are being channelled directly to Smile Train.

Smile Train is the globe’s largest cleft-focused organisation, supporting surgery and other forms of essential care for children.

To date, Smile Train has supported more than 1.5 million cleft surgeries for children.

Through donations, the charity empowers local medical professionals in more than 90 countries to treat cleft patients with life-changing and quality care, supported by local partners that provide services including speech therapy, psychological support, nutritional services, orthodontics and other forms of help.

‘Changing the world, one smile at a time’

As part of his journey, Tuli visited Smile Train partner hospitals in Kathmandu and Manila this year, spending time meeting children and their families together with the medical professionals helping to make the difference.

“On behalf of us all here at TRBusiness, we are delighted to support such a vital cause that helps change the lives of so many children and sincerely congratulate Sunil on his ascent to Everest base camp,” said Luke Barras-Hill, Editorial Director, TRBusiness.

In a note to the TRBusiness team, Tuli said: “Thank you so much for your recent donation to my Smile Train campaign. Your gift will help provide free, comprehensive cleft care to a child suffering with an untreated cleft.

“Once again, I really appreciate your support of Smile Train and my fundraising efforts. Together we’re changing the world one smile at a time.”

Tuli’s hike was first announced in May at the Smile Raising Charity Dinner hosted by The Moodie Davitt Report at Fort Canning, Singapore.

The event raised more than $200,000 in funds and pledges for the charity.