Ex-soldiers set for Himalayan fundraising trek

Two former soldiers plan to trek up Mera Peak in Nepal to raise money for a hospice.

Neil Harding and Tony Beech, who served together in the Staffordshire Regiment, are due to set off on 18 March to attempt the three-week Himalayan challenge.

Mera Peak is the highest mountain in the world that can be climbed without specialist climbing experience and equipment and the pair expect temperatures of -30C (-22F).

They are doing it to support the Dougie Mac hospice in Staffordshire after friends and relatives received care there.

Harding, 59, and Beech, 44, served in Iraq and Kosovo together and said they had been training for about six months.

Both have previously raised thousands of pounds for charity by climbing to Everest Base Camp and Beech said: "The last time I did a similar challenge, I lost half a stone."

He also said: "It's difficult to train for altitude sickness in this country because our mountains aren't high enough.

"With the lack of oxygen, your heart rate slows right down at night when you are resting, so that's something else we need to be aware of."

Mera Peak stands at 6,476m above sea level, nearly six times higher than Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) in north Wales.

The pair expect to be walking about eight hours a day, leading a team of Sherpas and sleeping in tents.

Harding said: "There is a camaraderie between us so we have a bit of banter and we make sure we also have a supply of Haribo and wine gums to keep us going"

Beech said adrenaline would help them get to the summit.

"Once you achieve that, the sense of satisfaction is immense," he said.

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