Jon Byers, Founder of leading prime London estate agents Anderson Rose, teamed with his son Billy Byers, a teenage actor known for roles in Changing Ends, Call the Midwife and a recent stint as The Artful Dodger in “Oliver!” the musical, to trek through the Himalayas to Everest Base Camp.
Completing the feat in November 2025, the pair took 9 days to reach Everest Base Camp, which sits approximately 5,364 metres above sea level, raising over £4,000 for a cause close to their hearts.
The father and son team are raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital due to the work the institution has done in treating and supporting Jon’s daughter/Billy’s sister, Liv in her battle with Juvenile Dermatomyositis (JDM), a rare autoimmune disease that affects only 3–4 children in every million.
The illness causes the immune system to attack the muscles and skin, leading to pain, weakness, and inflammation. Liv has faced countless visits to Great Ormond Street for tests, and treatments where the doctors, nurses, and physios have given her extraordinary care and support.
Commenting on the initiative to support Great Ormond Street Hospital, Jon Byers said: “This challenging period for the entire family has been made a lot more bearable thanks to the support and care of the excellent staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Their work has not only helped Liv regain her strength but also given her and all of us hope.
“Now that Liv’s condition is under better control, Billy and I wanted to give something back to the hospital that’s done so much for her and for so many other children. Trekking to Everest Base Camp was one of the toughest challenges we’ve ever faced but nothing compared to what Liv and other patients of Great Ormond Street Hospital and their families go through every day.”
Jon and Billy set a target of £5,000 (with the target now within reach and donations still open), which will go directly to Great Ormond Street Hospital to help fund research, treatment, and care for children with rare and life-changing illnesses like JDM.
To find out more about Jon and Billy’s Everest Base Camp Challenge or to donate to their cause visit their GoFundMe