Mar 07, 2025 - Mar 23, 2025
Connie and Laura’s Everest Base Camp Challenge
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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 33 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!
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Laura and I officially made it to Everest Basecamp!! We proudly stood on the rock and raised our charities flags!! Keep the donations coming!!
0 likesWe landed safely into Kathmandu, Nepal around 8.30am! We have since met our group, team leader and been out for our first meal of the trip!!
0 likesIt’s officially 9 days until Laura and I head to Nepal to take on the challenge of hiking to Everest Base camp. We have raised £2690 so far for our three chosen charities. The third chosen Charity we are raising money for is the Velindre Cancer Centre. The centre known as the 'Hospital of Hope’ is 68 years old and is based in Cardiff. The centre provides specialist cancer services to over 1.5 million people in South East Wales and beyond. Velindre is Wales' premier cancer centre, which provides care, support and treatment to cancer patients and their families. There are plans for a new Velindre Cancer Centre, scheduled to open in 2027. The new cancer centre will deliver a vital world-class facility, which will deliver care and treatment for patients today and for future generations as more people are diagnosed with cancer. According to statistics 1 in 5 people will suffer with cancer in their lifetime. Therefore both Laura and I feel it’s extremely important to fundraise for such a fantastic charity due knowing people who have suffered with this terrible illness. So any donations will be greatly appreciated!
0 likesLaura 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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