We caught up with Kirsty to hear what the experience was really like, from waiting for their flight to Lukla to walking for hours each day at high altitude, and the moment she wondered whether she would actually make it to Base Camp.

Why Little Miracles?

The group works with a number of charities, including Great Ormond Street Hospital and the National Deaf Children's Society, so choosing a charity to support was an important decision, and after discussions they decided to raise money for Little Miracles.

The challenge itself had been discussed for around a year, but it wasn't officially booked until the beginning of 2026, which meant the group had less time than they would have liked to fundraise.

Even with the shorter fundraising window, the group took on the trek together, and everyone completed it without injury!

Getting to Everest Base Camp

The two-week trip began in Kathmandu, where the group spent a couple of days getting used to the change in climate before travelling by a small 14 or 15-seater plane to Lukla in the Himalayas.

Even getting to the start of the trek took some patience. The group arrived at the airport at around 6am, but didn't actually fly until 2pm while they waited for the weather and visibility to improve. Once they arrived in Lukla, the trek began.

They walked for around seven or eight hours each day, gradually climbing higher and giving their bodies time to adjust to the altitude. They would climb higher during the day before coming back down to sleep, slowly working their way towards Base Camp.

Over nine days, they climbed to around 5,500 metres before taking three days to make their way back down.

The thin air made even walking at a normal pace difficult, so regular rest breaks became part of each day. The altitude also affected their sleep, with Kirsty sometimes waking during the night because she was struggling to catch her breath.

Then there was the cold, near Base Camp, temperatures could drop to around -13°C to -15°C at night.

Kirsty remembers one particularly cold night when she was wearing almost everything she had brought with her, “I had all my clothes, all my thermals on, a jacket, sleeping bag liner, sleeping bag, duvet on top, hat, scarf, gloves, and a hot water bottle… and then you were still like, ‘oh, too cold.'”

“I don't think I can get there”

There were moments when Kirsty wondered whether she would make it.

The final climb to Base Camp was particularly tough, with steep, rocky ground and the lack of oxygen making every step harder. “I kept saying to my guides, ‘I don't think I can get there. This is really hard.’”

So what kept her going?

For Kirsty, it came down to mindset: “You have to believe that you can and have that mental determination.”

The group were also supported by local Sherpa guides throughout the trek. They kept an eye on the group's health, made sure everyone was drinking and taking breaks, and could recognise the early signs of altitude sickness.

Facing a fear of heights

The trek also gave Kirsty the chance to tackle something much more personal... her fear of heights, something lot's of us can relate to!

The route included several suspension bridges, including one that Kirsty found particularly difficult. The first time she crossed one of the highest bridges, she held onto her guide's bag and focused on getting across.

When she had to cross it again on the way back, she decided to approach it differently.“I didn't hold on to him. I just said, ‘Do you know what, I'm just going to go on and walk, I'm just going to walk and look forward.’”

She made it across without holding on, it's one of the moments Kirsty was most proud of!

Would they do it again?

Kirsty says she wouldn't take on the exact same trek again. Having made it to Everest Base Camp, she's ready to try something different.

The group are already discussing ideas for future challenges, potentially making them more team-focused so business owners can bring their teams along and use some of the experience back in their workplaces.

Kirsty has already taken on other challenges in the past, including a 50km trek in South Africa in temperatures of around 45°C, so pushing herself physically isn't new to her.

But Everest was certainly a challenge of its own. “The trek itself was amazing. It's a great experience.”

After nine days of climbing, the group reached Everest Base Camp and then made their way back down together. And while the trek itself is something they'll remember for a long time, the money raised along the way will go towards supporting Little Miracles and the families we work with.

A huge thank you to Kirsty and everyone who took part in the trek, as well as everyone who supported their fundraising for Little Miracles. Taking on a challenge like this is a huge commitment, and we're so grateful that they chose to do it in support of families of children with additional needs, disabilities and life-limiting conditions. 💜

If you're interested in fundraising for Little Miracles, get in touch with us on 01733 262226 or email us at fundraising@littlemiraclescharity.org.uk.