Hallo there!! Thank you for connecting to my Justgiving Account! I have returned from the Himalayas having accomplished the challenge of trekking to Everest Base Camp. (5,400m 19,900ft 3.5miles above sea level) I also hiked a further 500m to the summit of Kala pattar the following day. Challenges in the Himalayan Mountains of Nepal: I slept in a tent for 14 nights in temperatures plummeting to a low of -20 degrees. I would often awake to find that condensation from my breath had become a rim of ice along the top of my sleeping bag. A small part of every evening was spent in a local Teahouse huddling around a small stove to keep warm. It became increasingly challenging to peel myself away from the stove to face the freezing and harsh conditions in the tent outside! I became great pals with my tent-mate, 'Katie Warburton' from Sheffield. We pulled each other through the toughest times. We would pack up our kit at 6am each morning in freezing temperatures and trek for an average of 8 hours each day. As I gained in altitude, I battled against a severe lack of sleep, nausea, loss of appetite, banging headaches and dizziness. Trekking carefully over boulders and down scree proved tricky with these symptoms! We all did very well to keep positive about eating porridge, potatoes, daal and rice for 15 days. The Sherpa chefs did an outstanding job of re-fuelling our bodies with Carbohydrates and Protein yet we all had cravings for different fatty foods. I lost over half a stone in just two weeks but have since put it all back on indulging myself over the Christmas period! I am still eager to raise as many funds as possible for Leukaemia Care and with your support and help, Leukaemia Care will continue to do such an inspiring job for all their cancer and blood disorder sufferers. Leukaemia Care is very close to my heart as my mum has suffered with the cancer for over 8 years and I am so lucky to have her in my life. On the side of the mountain, it was the strength that mum has shown throughout the years that helped to keep me focused and strong. I want to thank each and every one of you who have already supported me throughout 2008. You may have attended one of my events, supported one of my art exhibitions, sponsored me online or all 3! And for that I am eternally grateful!! So, go on... push the button and make a donation. You will feel great doing so, I will be OH SO pleased and the Charity will be truly thankful! Thanks again Anna x x xx