A father from Liverpool is preparing to take on the world’s highest mountain to become the first deaf British person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, while raising vital funds for the National Deaf Children’s Society.

Michael Woods, a profoundly deaf mountaineer, will tackle the 8,849 m (29,032 ft) ascent in honour of his six-year-old son Joseph, who is also deaf and plays Aled Winter-Brown on ITV’s Coronation Street. Joseph turns seven in March.

The National Deaf Children’s Society has supported Joseph from an early age, helping him secure the communication access he needed at school.

Michael’s Everest expedition is scheduled to begin on 7 April 2026, with him flying to Nepal on 1 April to acclimatise before heading to Base Camp. The full expedition is expected to take six to eight weeks.

To prepare, Michael, who communicates using British Sign Language (BSL), is strength-training three times a week with a personal trainer, alongside endurance work and altitude preparation, and is also using an altitude tent at home. Michael, who will be 36 when he begins the expedition, is aiming to complete the Seven Summits challenge – climbing the highest peak on each continent.

In January, Michael reached the 6,961 m (22,840 ft) summit of Aconcagua in Argentina, the highest mountain in South America. The climb took 17 days and tested him physically, mentally and emotionally.

Michael said: “Aconcagua tested me in every way imaginable, from battling fatigue to facing the harsh elements, but standing at the summit made it all worth it. The sense of achievement and awe at the mountain is indescribable.”

The toughest challenges of Everest will be the extreme altitude, the cold – which can reach -30°C and below – and the mental pressure of long summit pushes, particularly navigating the treacherous icefall between Base Camp and Camp 1.

Michael will climb with a guided team, communicating visually and through written methods when needed, as no BSL interpreter will join the expedition.

He has been mountaineering for several years, also summiting Elbrus (Russia), Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Toubkal (Morocco) and Lobuche East (Nepal). After Everest, Michael plans to continue the Seven Summits challenge.

Michael said: “I want deaf children – including my own – to see that nothing is out of reach for them. The National Deaf Children’s Society stood by us when Joseph needed support at school, and this climb is my way of saying thank you. Everest is the biggest challenge of my life, but if it inspires even one deaf child to believe in themselves, it will be worth it.”

With the charity’s support, Joseph secured full-time communication support and BSL interpreters at school—something Michael describes as life-changing.

“Without the National Deaf Children’s Society, I don’t think we would have managed it. They fought alongside us and made sure Joseph had the support he needed in school.”

After his father reached the summit of Aconcagua, Joseph said: “Wow, that’s good, I love you and you did it, proud of you.”

Michael’s daughter Isabella, who is CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), added: “Well done, you did it and I can’t believe you did a big mountain. Proud my daddy did it.”

Funds raised will help the National Deaf Children’s Society continue supporting thousands of deaf children and families across the UK through its Helpline, online support sessions and one-to-one support.

Even small donations can make a meaningful difference:
• £24 could answer four calls to the NDCS Helpline from parents who have just found out their child is deaf.
• £44 could provide an online session empowering parents to secure the right support at school.
• £100 could fund one-to-one support for three families.

Melissa Jones, Community and Events Fundraiser at the National Deaf Children’s Society, said: “Michael’s determination is extraordinary. Taking on Everest is an enormous challenge for anyone, and he’s doing it to inspire deaf children and raise funds for others who need support just like his family once did.

“We’re incredibly proud to support Michael on his journey. His story will resonate with so many families, and every pound he raises helps us continue our work to ensure deaf children receive the communication support, opportunities and encouragement they need.”