A HAZARDOUS trek to the base of Mount Everest has raised more than £2,000 for Prospect Hospice.

Phil Horwood, from Old Town, trekked more then 100km through Nepal to reach the Everest Base Camp at 5,364 metres in memory of his brother Mark Horwood who was cared for by the hospice.

The team started in lush green valleys, crossing high bridges across deep ravines, before climbing higher altitudes which took their toll physically.

He said: “We were advised to constantly drink water – eight to ten litres a day - and our guides supplied us with tablets to counter the effects of altitude sickness, which I was lucky not to suffer too badly from.

"I did take energy bars and snacks of my own, but after a few days of not eating much due to the quality of the cooked food and the increased altitude, my appetite almost disappeared totally and I was surviving on very little food."

Phil arrived at Base Camp a day ahead of schedule and completed the descent in just two days because one of his team was suffering problems with his vision.

Phil added: “I hadn’t realised just how many people don’t make it and actually get quite ill and have to be evacuated, and also just how physically and mentally demanding it would be,” he said.

“On reaching Base Camp, my overwhelming feeling was one of relief initially followed by achievement, wonder at my surroundings and then just pure emotion.”

This is not Phil's first trek, in 2013 him and a friend walked 184 miles along the Thames Path without sleep, and he previously trekked from Swindon to Swansea fifteen years ago.

Alex Cooper, community fundraiser at Prospect, said: “We are just so amazed by Phil’s efforts considering this was his first trek. He took it on with such a can do and relaxed attitude and raised a staggering £2,111.06 in the process.

"Thank you so much to Phil for his fantastic support, and we look forward to seeing him again at the Challenges Open evening on March 27th!”