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Mar 07, 2025 - Mar 23, 2025
Connie and Laura’s Everest Base Camp Challenge
5590
Hi Everyone,
It’s Connie Rees & Laura Sidney here! Let us introduce ourselves.
CONNIE: 👮🏻♀️
I am currently a serving Police Officer of South Wales Police & a Royal Navy Reservist at HMS Cambria, Cardiff. I am turning 33 shortly and I am a Bridgend girl! When I’m not working I love to spend time travelling 🧳, walking or spending time on the family farm. I can’t wait to see some Yaks 🐮 on the way up to Basecamp and taste a local Yak Burger 🍔 whilst also enjoying the Nepalese culture.
LAURA: 🎤
I recently turned 30, I live with my amazing grandparents in Usk! I have recently started a new job as an Operational Support Grade officer at HMP Prescoed & HMP Usk. I am also a Royal Navy Reservist based at HMS Cambria. My true passion is singing 🎶. I previously sang with the National Opera and I have also appeared on ‘The Voice’. Maybe I will sing a tune when I reach the top.
We both became close friends during our initial training with the Royal Navy Reserves⛴️. As we both got each other through that challenge, we are hoping now to support each other through this next one!
In March 2025, we are taking on the challenge of hiking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal.
The trip will take place on the 08/03/2025 - 22/03/2025.
Mount Everest is one of the most revered and legendary, natural wonders of the world. Not only will we be ticking this trip off our bucket list, by seeing this mountain up close at Basecamp. We will be raising money for charity!!
The hike which is a two week trip, will lead us over suspension bridges, a glacier and into the heart of the warm rugged Sherpa culture. We will reach Basecamp at 5,364m (over 3.5 miles!) to the base of the world's tallest mountain. During the trip we will be hiking 3-8 hours a day over various terrains, whilst also acclimatising to the reduced oxygen levels.
Whilst taking on this challenge we would like to raise money for the following charities, the British Heart Foundation, Velindre Cancer Centre & Woody’s Lodge.
We are personally paying for the trip ourselves, out of our own pockets. So 100% of the money raised will be going directly to the charities!
So all contributions to our chosen charities will be greatly appreciated ♥️
You’re more than welcome to follow our training updates and trip highlights via our social media platforms!
3 days, 17 hours
Phil +Mary Lynne
Good luck Connie and Laura. You will have an amazing time. What an adventure! Xx
£xx.xx
6 days, 1 hour
Audrey Ellams
£ 10.00
(+£2.50) Gift Aid6 days, 1 hour
Karen and Huw Thomas
£ 30.00
(+£7.50) Gift Aid1 week, 1 day
Ahmed
You are going to smash it
£ 50.00
1 week, 1 day
Cath,Steve &all at Pantycornant farm
Have a great time girls! Have a fantastic adventure xx
£ 25.00
(+£6.25) Gift Aid1 week, 3 days
Nathaniel cars
Good luck Connie from all of us at Nathaniels ❤️
£ 100.00
1 week, 4 days
Pam
Good luck both.
£ 50.00
(+£12.50) Gift Aid1 week, 4 days
Laura’s family (John, Verena, Shaun & Anne) ❤️
Best of luck girls! Emily will be with you, every step of the way ❤️
£ 225.00
(+£56.25) Gift Aid2 weeks, 2 days
Anonymous
Have a great trek girls! Wish I could join you🤣. Kx
£ 100.00
(+£25.00) Gift Aid2 weeks, 2 days
Sue Pound
Good luck Connie have an amazing time xx
£ 20.00
2 weeks, 3 days
Ceri Milton
£ 10.00
(+£2.50) Gift Aid2 weeks, 4 days
Lisa
Good luck Laura and Connie, it’ll be an amazing experience for you both.
£ 50.00
(+£12.50) Gift Aid2 weeks, 4 days
Anonymous
£ 10.00
2 weeks, 5 days
Anonymous
£ 10.00
2 weeks, 5 days
Glenys Tagg
Good luck - keep safe and enjoy x
£ 20.00
(+£5.00) Gift Aid2 weeks, 5 days
Samuel Murkin
Good luck girls! Watch out for abominable snowmen x
£ 40.00
(+£10.00) Gift Aid2 weeks, 5 days
Olivia and Ross
We wish you all the luck in the world on this massive challenge you are undertaking. We are so proud and excited for you! Always showing how incredible you really are and I couldn’t be more in awe of your courage. We love you so much xx
£ 30.00
2 weeks, 6 days
Carol and Garth
Good for you. Don't forget to pack the thermals.
£ 20.00
2 weeks, 6 days
Ruth
So so proud of you Connie and Laura! Have the most wonderful adventure 💕
£ 30.00
2 weeks, 6 days
Laura Kelly
Could not be more proud of you ladies x
£ 50.00
(+£12.50) Gift Aid2 weeks, 6 days
Ray & Lorraine
You are both amazing. Enjoy the experience and stay safe xx
£ 30.00
(+£7.50) Gift Aid3 weeks, 3 days
Kay & Arthur
Good luck to you both!
£ 20.00
(+£5.00) Gift Aid3 weeks, 5 days
Jemima Hawkins
Well done beautiful girls, so proud of you both xxx
£ 50.00
(+£12.50) Gift Aid3 weeks, 6 days
Holly & Chris
Wow! What an amazing adventure! Good luck Laura & Connie! xx
£ 20.00
(+£5.00) Gift Aid3 weeks, 6 days
Steph Hopkins
Good luck with it! Sure you'll smash it with a massive smile on your face as usual! Excited to see all the photos from your trip! Woo hoo!
£ 10.00
(+£2.50) Gift Aid# | Date sent | Audience | Content |
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Laura and I attended Nomad Travel Clinic in Cardiff today to purchase our Altitude sickness medication. This medication is not available from any a normal Pharmacist! The medication, Diamox cost us £16.22 for 14 tablets. We are now fully jabbed up and prepared with our medication for our trip to Nepal.
0 likesIt’s officially 32 days until Laura and I fly to Nepal to take on the Everest Basecamp challenge! We have raised £2000 so far for our chosen charities. The second charity we are raising money for is Woodys Lodge. In 2012 Royal Marine and member of the Elite Special Boat Service, Paul “Woody” Woodland lost his life in a training exercise, before he was due to return for a second tour of duty in Afghanistan. Woody was born, bred and schooled in Penarth, South Wales, and had always wanted to be a Royal Marine. Once he completed his Armed Forces career, his dream had been to build a log cabin where he would be able to live with his family, peacefully and in safety. Due to this dream, the Woody’s Lodge charity was started. One out of the three hubs in Wales is based at Amelia Trust Farm, South Wales. The hubs offers support for Armed Forces personnel and Emergency Service workers. Being a Police officer and both Laura and I being Royal Navy Reservists based at HMS Cambria, Cardiff. We feel it’s extremely important to support a charity that offers much needed help to Veterans and Emergency Service workers. From personal experience I know only to well the trauma and horrifying experiences emergency services workers have to go through on a daily basis on the job. So any donations towards our second chosen charity is much appreciated!!! Just a reminder that 💯 percent of all donations are going to our chosen charities. We are paying for own personal expenses.
0 likesConnie: Over the next few weeks I’d like to tell people why I’m fundraising for my chosen charities. My first chosen Charity is the British Heart Foundation. This charity is particularly close to my heart ♥️ as my Dad was born with major heart problems. He had his first heart surgery at the age of 11 in London. He has continued to have heart problems which has resulted in him having a number of operations over the years. The last one being in October 2024. I am very grateful to the British Heart Foundation, because of their pioneering research, my Dad is still going strong and still full time farming. My family can’t thank them enough!
0 likesAs you imagine there is long list of kit that is needed to get us through this trip. But thanks to Manager Emma at Helly Hansen, both Laura and I have been well and truly kitted out. All kit purchased has been paid for, from our personal pockets. A reminder that 💯% money raised on this page, is going to our chosen charities. So thank you to everyone who has donated.
0 likesI thought I’d be doing this trip alone! But instead I have managed to persuade my Royal Navy Reservist bestie Laura Sidney to join me on the trip. We managed to survive - 4 temperatures on Dartmoor during RNR initial training. So I’m hoping me can get each other through this trip together!
0 likesI will be departing for Nepal on the 7th March 2025. - Flights ✔️ - Insurance ✔️ - Transfers ✔️ - VISA application ✔️ Now time to arrange kit and currency!
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