It might not be the perfect training ground for scaling the highest point on earth but that’s not going to stop one young woman from Norfolk.
Hannah Baxter, 25, is set to trek the 17,000 feet to Everest Base Camp later this year to support children across the county recovering from serious crime.
The nursery practitioner from Fakenham is training daily to prepare for the challenge, to raise money for children’s charity Embrace Child Victims of Crime (Embrace) – the trek will feature in a new TV documentary.
With every penny raised used to help children impacted by crimes including murder, sexual abuse and domestic violence, she is hoping the local community will get behind her.
“This is an amazing challenge for an amazing charity that does so much to help families deal with the terrible trauma of crime in childhood,” she said.
“I’m training by going for long walks along the Norfolk coast, at ever increasing distances, and working out on the treadmill. I’m asthmatic too so I have an extra mountain to climb – though I’ll admit I’m struggling to find any decent hills nearby.”
Hannah will be part of a small group made up of survivors of childhood crime, police officers and charity supporters, trekking to Base Camp in the Himalayan region of north-east Nepal led by an expert Sherpa guide.
The gruelling journey will be captured by a documentary crew and serialised for broadcast.
Embrace is the only national charity solely focused on helping children and families impacted by serious crime to recover, providing therapeutic support including emotional and practical help, family breaks and well-being services, and specialist counselling in areas where it is funded.
In 2018, Embrace delivered support to 88 children across Norfolk – tripling the number from the previous year. These included the victims of sexual abuse and assault, children who had experienced or witnesses serious violence, or had suffered neglect.
Chief Executive Anne Campbell said: “Hannah is climbing the highest mountain on the planet for children in Norfolk, young victims of crime who have their own mountains to climb.
“We’re thrilled she is joining us and her fund-raising will brighten the lives and life prospects of many young people in the county – we look forward to witnessing her achievement.”
Hannah, a gifted musician, has also organised a series of fund-raising events in the local community to support her effort, including:
– An Evening of Classical Music at Fakenham Salvation Army from 7pm on Saturday 19 October, with tickets £5 on the door
– A charity quiz night at Fakenham Community Centre from 7pm on Saturday September 14, with tickets at £3pp on the night.
To donate to Hannah’s Everest Base Camp Trek visit her Just Giving page – justgiving.com/fundraising/hannahbaxterembrace
Embrace is keen to hear from local gyms or Personal Trainers in the Fakenham area who could provide additional training for Hannah at low or no cost. Please contact Beth at info@embracecvoc.org.uk for further details.
