Mountain of a challenge for Rachel

Rachel, 25, of Carr Road, Fleetwood, is taking part in a hair-raising sky dive next month.

And in November the health care assistant will attempt a 19-day trek from Kathmandu to Mount Everest’s South Base Camp in Nepal.

Rachel’s efforts are part of a campaign to raise £4,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society and the Macmillam Windmill cancer unit at Blackpool Victoria Hospital, two causes close to her heart.

Rachel, who works for Advance Home Care in Kirkham, said: “As a health care assistant, I see every day what dementia is like and how it affects patients and their families. The Alzheimer’s Society gives support to families and helps with research.

“And the Windmill unit is brilliant.

“My grandmother, Beryl Couch, was given four weeks to live in 2007 when she got leukaemia but thanks to their support, she is still alive and well aged 76.”

The peak of Everest, the world’s highest mountain, is 8,848 metres (29,029 ft) above sea level, and even the base camp represents a lofty challenge.

The south camp is 5,364 metres (17,598 ft feet high) and most climbers need time to acclimatise to its conditions.

Rachel has to raise £1,795 by September 17 before she can even get out to Katmandu, so she is planning fundraisers.

Her sky dive challenge comes first – at Cockerham Sands on July 14. To support her visit: Facebook.com/rachelseveresttreck.