Anita has been a trustee for Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) for the last 6 years and Chair of the Board of Trustees for the last 3 years.  Her tenure will come to an end in May 2017. To celebrate this and her 60th birthday, she, together with husband Richard will undertake an intrepid trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal. 

Anita and Richard will fly into Kathmandu then take a flight to the world's most extreme airport, Tenzing-Hillary Airport at Lukla.  16 people will be crammed into a Twin Otter aircraft for the short trip into the  mountains.  Here we will land on a very short runway, hidden between the towering peaks.  The airport at Tenzing-Hillary actually runs uphill to slow the plane sufficiently.

From Lukla we will be undertaking an 8-day trek to Everest Base Camp followed by a 4-day trek back to Lukla staying at Chinese Tea Houses on the way, which are heated with wood burning stoves powered by yak dung.

After arriving at Base Camp we will summit the peak of Kala Patthar, a mighty peak at 5545 metres overlooking Base Camp.

Altitude sickness is a big challenge here as we climb above 3,500 metres. Acute mountain sickness and the famous Khumbu cough needs to be overcome if we are to successfully reach our destination.

We are doing this to raise funds for Devon Air Ambulance's night flying. Flying hours have been extended to midnight which is vital but carries significant extra costs.  As 'Team Nightcopter' we will go to the top of the world to help Devon Air Ambulance carry out rescues in the hours of darkness.  

Thanks so much for your support and your donation!  x 

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Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT) owns 2 helicopters and operates 7 days a week; as of autumn 2016 DAAT will extend its flying hours until midnight. Responding to approximately 1,400 incidents every year DAAT conveys patients to the specialist treatment centre most appropriate for their needs, giving them the best chance of survival. The service costs £5.5 million every year and DAAT is proud to be independent of Government and National Lottery funding, relying solely on the generous donations of the people, businesses and communities of Devon.