AN INSPIRING group of 12 have taken on Everest Base Camp in an attempt to raise life-changing funds for charity.
In minus 22 degrees, the Wrexham warriors succeeded in reaching their intended destination in the spirit of going above and beyond.
The team who met by completing other international challenges included Bethan Eleri Scott, Gabby Ransome, Mannon Goddard, Lisa Ransome, Roman Mach, David Walker, Mark Davies, Steve Beattie, Neil Ransome, Helen Sara Massey, Steven Roberts and Shaun O'Keefe.
Together they have been raising crucial funds for four charities; British Heart Foundation, Motor Neurone Disease Association, Alzheimer's Research and Nightingale House Hospice.
"All of us have been touched in some way by the incredible work these charities do", said Bethan Eleri Scott, who launched their Go Fund Me page currently sitting at an impressive £42,000.
A target of £50,000 has been made so that each of the charities will receive at least £12,500. Donate here.
In a speech made at the black tie ball fundraiser held before the challenge, Bethan said: "A member of our group wanted to raise money to support MNDA in dedication to a family member. He shared the saddest news with us that his family member passed before he got chance to complete the trek. We will be dedicating our trek to her.
"My dad (the kindest, gentlest person you could ever meet) was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and dementia almost 10 years ago. He’s in a care home in Llangollen and has been for the past two years.
"My mum dedicates her time to sitting holding my dad’s hand, feeding him and watches on as staff members hoist my dad for personal care - it’s not how it should be. I am dedicating my trek to my dad and every person in the UK living with dementia and Alzheimer’s and all the people who do what they can to support their family member."
Roman is dedicating the trek to his dad Walter who sadly passed away from dementia, while Neil is doing it in memory of his dad Terry, who passed away suddenly aged 69 from an underlying heart condition.
Helen is taking on the trek in memory of her dad Joe who died in 2004 from cancer, after he spent time raising funds for Nightingale Hospice. Bethan is also raising for the hospice after losing her husband Dave, and Mannon for her friend Denise.
"There are other members of our group who also have very moving personal stories as to why they have chosen to support these charities. We are dedicating our trek to their loved ones."
'The Everest 12' left Wrexham on November 7 arrived in Kathmandu on November 10 before getting a delayed flight to Lukla due to poor weather conditions.
They then completed their acclimatisation day where they slept at 4,350m. They then started the following morning with an ascent of a small ridge behind the village where they stayed to continue their climb above the Pheriche Valley.
While sadly one of the hikers Lisa Ransome had to be airlifted for treatment following a bout of the dreaded altitude sickness, the others reached the final stage.
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Bethan described it as "the toughest walks" with the group admitting to exhaustion at times. But with adrenaline kicking in, and knowing it would raise life-changing funds, they triumphed on.
She continues: "Our thought is if we all did something - no matter how small, it would eventually turn into something big - the best thing that we could have done this year was combine forces and come up with this joint fundraiser."
Prior to the trek, she said: "We are a team of 12 - a team of 12 about to embark on a trek of a lifetime but there is a reason behind every step we are about to undertake and we thank you so much for doing your bit to get us that one step closer to achieving our goal of raising £50,000 for these incredible charities."
Wrexham businesses have also made wonderful donations to have their logos printed onto the shirts and hoodies worn by the group for their trek. They include Pencilcraftsman, Wrexham Lage, Wynnstay Joinery, Morgans Window, Treehogs, Astute Private Weath and SP Energy Networks.
The team is completing the 10-hour-walk back to Lukla today (November 20) and will soon be home to celebrate their outstanding achievements.
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