Zsuzsi has trekked to Mount Everest!

In November 2017, St George’s staff member Zsuzsi Pap completed an epic 12 day trek to Mount Everest’s Base Camp and back. The adventure was all in aid of St George’s Childcare, and Zsuzsi has raised £613 for the children’s charity through sponsorship.

Zsuzsi walked for 4 – 8 hours each day up the world’s highest mountain in Nepal, reaching altitudes of 5500m above sea level. The unforgettable experience was certainly challenging – with oxygen levels 50% of what they are at sea level. And Zsuzsi had the dubious honour of flying to the world’s most dangerous airport to land at – twice! After her Mount Everest trek, she returned to Kathmandu to recuperate before catching a flight back up the mountain for another trek.

Zsuzsi, who is a Senior Childcare Leader at St George’s, said:

“It was so hard, but such an amazing experience. People feel more proud of me than I do of myself- I’m just glad I did it! The biggest challenges were the altitude sickness, and the cold at night. It would go from 20 degrees in the day to minus 20 degrees at night. We had a motto in my group from the very beginning, when we flew to Lukla airport in a 16 seater plane: ‘It’s going to be fine!'”

“I learned so much about Nepalese culture and religion from our guides, and the Nepalese people were so welcoming and helpful. The best part of my trip was the second trek I did when I had the chance to sit down, experience the peace of the mountain, and watch the world go by.”

All the money Zsuzsi raises through sponsorship will go towards new toys and equipment and improving the garden at the nursery. If you’d like to sponsor Zsuzsi, you can donate via her Virgin Money Giving page.

You too can organise your own fundraising event for St George’s Childcare to help support vulnerable children and families in need.

Below: Zsuzsi at Mount Everest’s Base Camp

Below: Zsuzsi sits on a roof at Namche. Quite a view!