Former soldiers to take on Himalayan Challenge for Dougie Mac

Neil Harding and Tony Beech, who served together in the Staffordshire Regiment, will be climbing Nepal’s Mera Peak – the highest trekking mountain in the world at 6,476m above sea level – nearly SIX times higher than Mount Snowdon in Wales.

Neil, 59, and Tony, 44 are setting off on their epic journey on March 18 with the challenge expected to take around three weeks. They are raising funds for Dougie Mac after friends and relatives received care.

“We fly to Katmandu and from there fly into the mountain airport of Lukla – one of the most dangerous airports in the world – before embarking on the climb which will include ice climbing, close roping and crampon work,” said Neil. “We have both been training for around six months for this challenge and I have a dietician who has also helped me prepare – so we are ready to go!”

It’s not the first time the pair have embarked on a gruelling challenge. Neil has previously raised funds for the hospice after climbing Everest Base Camp – twice – raising more than £7,000, while Tony raised £3,000 for charity last year by climbing Mount Toubkal. The previous year he raised an amazing £13,500 by climbing Everest Base Camp.

In their latest challenge and in temperatures reaching -30C, the pair will be lead by a team of Sherpas up – and down – Mera Peak, sleeping in tented camps. The higher they go there will be less oxygen which could see them battle altitude sickness whilst navigating glaciers and deep snow in boots weighing two-and-a-half kilos each.

“The last time I did a similar challenge, I lost half a stone,” says Tony, “and it’s difficult to train for altitude sickness in this country because our mountains aren’t high enough. With the lack of oxygen, your heart rate slows right down at night when you are resting, so that’s something else we need to be aware of. It’s all about focussing on the end result and getting to the top – the adrenaline keeps us going. Once you achieve that, the sense of satisfaction is immense.”

Neil and Tony – who are both self-employed – will be walking for a minimum of eight hours a day. Neil said: “You have to have the right mentality and support each other. There is a camaraderie between us so we have a bit of banter – and we make sure we also have a supply of Haribo and Wine Gums to keep us going!”

Both Neil and Tony will be taking a rucksack and duffel bag containing the essentials of water and snacks, warm kit, wet kit, a medical kit, ice pick and oxygen bottle, as well as spare gloves, suntan cream and sunglasses. Their meals will consist mainly of rice, noodles and eggs.

“On the last day before we reach the summit we will be setting off around 2am so that when we get to the top we can see the sunrise,” said Neil. “The sense of achievement once you get to the top is amazing. We are trained and ready to go!” You can donate to Neil and Tony’s challenge here: www.gofundme.com/f/34n47d-douglas-macmillan-hospice To follow their journey, take a look here: www.facebook.com/groups/1514910192977900