Hikers reach Everest Base Camp to raise funds for Demelza

After flying into Katmandu in Nepal, the 23 fundraisers, including corporate supporters and family members of children supported by Demelza, took on a demanding journey to reach the famous camp at the base of the world’s highest mountain.

As well as spectacular scenery, the group endured snow, sun and the effects of altitude but after eight days of trekking and supporting each other, they all reached Base Camp which stands at 5,364m. (Everest is 8,848m and for context, the UK’s highest mountain Ben Nevis is 1,345m).

Their descent back down the mountain was cut short due to the weather and they ended up with a helicopter ride back to Katmandu to celebrate their impressive achievement.

Demelza’s Area Fundraising Manager Katie Hook was the staff representative for the duration of the journey and said it was an incredible privilege to accompany the group on such a special trip.

She said: “Our team spent months raising thousands of pounds for Demelza, training hard and preparing for this extreme challenge and it was my absolute pleasure to hike alongside and support them.

“We would like to say a big thank you to Action Challenge which ran the trip for Demelza - we smashed through all the expected hiking times and surprised the Sherpa team and our Action Challenge leader James Kent.

“We found the memorial to all those who have lost their lives on Mount Everest very moving.

“We laughed, we cried and we all achieved the dream of being at the foot of the world’s tallest mountain - I absolutely loved every minute.”

If you like the sound of taking on one of Demelza’s ambitious fundraising challenges, there’s plenty coming up – including an Iceland trek next year.