The remarkable 12-day journey through the Himalayas saw Melanie and her cousin Alison take on one of the most arduous treks in the world, motivated by personal loss and a desire to support others facing similar struggles.
Melanie chose to raise money for C.A.L.M. (Campaign Against Living Miserably) in memory of her sister, who tragically died by suicide in August 2022. Alison supported Cancer Connections, a South Shields-based charity that provided support to her late father before he passed away from cancer in 2017.
“In the space of two years, we lost my sister and two cousins to suicide, and an uncle to cancer,” Melanie explained. “This pushed us even harder to raise as much as we could. So far, we’ve raised £4,055 and are still receiving donations.”
What began as an idea over a casual conversation turned into a life-changing expedition. “Everest was never something I had even thought about doing,” said Melanie. “I met my cousin Alison one day and she said she wanted to do it and asked if I would like to go with her. This was the start of our journey. We started with trekking in the Lake District as practice and before we knew it, the trip was booked.”
Despite weather setbacks and long travel delays, Melanie described the entire experience as unforgettable – from helicopter rides over the mountains and breathtaking sunrises, to the camaraderie of fellow trekkers and the culture of the Nepalese people.
“The views were out of this world – photos just don’t do them justice,” she said. “One of my favourite moments was flying out of Lukla Airport, which is known as the most dangerous airport in the world. It was amazing and terrifying all at once!”
The group faced extreme cold, basic accommodation, and the ever-present risk of altitude sickness, with daily oxygen checks keeping everyone safe. “I didn’t suffer too badly – just a bit of a headache – but the trek down was tough on the knees,” Melanie added. “Still, I expected the trek to be even harder than it was. Taking it slowly and being mentally prepared made it enjoyable. Reaching base camp was a massive feeling of accomplishment, and very emotional knowing why I was doing it.”
To contribute to Melanie and Alison’s fundraising, donations can still be made via their online pages https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/melanie-burn