HOSPICE nurses are set to swap their uniforms for hiking gear as they stride out on a trek to Everest Base Camp this November.
Friends Mel Rutter, Nicci Lane, and Helen Gander are nurses at St Richard’s Hospice in Worcester and are raising funds for the charity as part of the base camp challenge.
They will begin the climb to the base camp in Nepal on Monday, November 10. After reaching the camp at 5,364 metres, they will trek to the summit of Kala Patthar, a landmark at 5,554 metres with views of Mount Everest.
The trek will take 12-days from start to finish, and will see them tackle rocky terrain, walking a constantly undulating trail for up to eight hours a day.
Mel, who works in the hospice’s Integrated Community Team, said: “Everest Base Camp has been on my bucket list for a long time.
“The minute Helen suggested we do it, I couldn’t say no. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip; it’ll be an amazing experience!”
The group has been preparing for the challenge with plenty of training walks, including in the Peak District, Lake District and by scaling Pen y Fan, Cadair Idris, and Yr Wyddfa in Wales.
“We’re feeling a bit of everything really,” said Nicci, who works on the hospice’s In-patient Unit with Helen, and completed a training trek in the Alps this summer.
“We’re excited and nervous because we don’t know how we’ll be with the altitude. It is a big challenge, but it’s what we’re training for and we’re looking forward to it.”
So far, the group has raised £6,347 for St Richard’s which will help the hospice continue to fund its free palliative and end-of-life care.
Debbie Westwood, Care Director at St Richard’s, said: “Myself and the whole hospice team are so proud of Mel, Nicci and Helen and wish them the very best of luck.
“What they are doing for our patients and families is so inspiring; we’ll be following their progress and cheering them on from back home in Worcestershire!
“They see first-hand what the funds raised by our community helps to achieve for patients and their loved ones.
“We simply couldn’t continue our care without the support of our adventurous trio and so many others like them whose generosity helps us be there for people when they need us most.”
To donate in support of Mel, Nicci, Helen and St Richard’s, visit www.justgiving.com/page/melniccihelen