Never has a picture more accurately reflected the blood, sweat and tears that went into a challenge than this image of John Burgess during the final stages of his Everest mission.

John spent about 71/2 climbing the equivalent distance of the earth’s highest mountain on a step machine at Royston Leisure Centre on Saturday.

The senior data systems developer took on the mammoth challenge to raise money for Cancer Research UK in memory of his late mother Kay.

On his JustGiving page, narrating the end of the slog, he said: “I hardly have the energy to celebrate and pretty much collapse off the machine onto a floor mat where I promptly throw up. Which makes me feel much better.

“If you donated money then rest assured you got a good return on my pain and suffering.”

To earn your return, search for ‘John’s Everest Challenge’ on the JustGiving website.