Fakenham woman's Mount Everest trek to support young victims of crime

A woman from Fakenham is set to climb Mount Everest to base camp next month to support young crime victims.

Hannah Baxter, 25, has already raised more than £1,000 for Embrace: Child Victims of Crime through a quiz and bake sale, as well as sponsorships ahead of her trek.

Hannah, who works as a nursery assistant in Great Ryburgh, was offered a place by the charity in June.

“It’s all been a bit of a surreal rush – I’ve never done anything like this before so I’ve been training hard as much as I can and having PT (personal trainer) sessions at Cromwell Barns gym in Fakenham, whilst working a full-time job too,” she said.

As someone who works with children, fundraising for a charity that supports young people is “extra special”.

She added: “I’m really nervous about the climb but know it’ll be such an amazing experience and an opportunity I’ll never get again so I couldn’t really say no.

“I suffer from asthma and I’m not the fittest person so it will be a challenge but it will also be something exciting and to be proud of forever.”

As well as the gym, Hannah has also been putting in hours of hiking along the Norfolk coastline ahead of Mount Everest, and in July, she climbed halfway up Snowdon.

It was at that point that she met the other people taking part in the Everest challenge – which will see them trek more than 130km over 19 days up to base camp and back – and the Sherpa who will be leading it.

Having already surpassed her £1,000 target, Hannah is hoping to raise as much as possible for Embrace.

A concert she and her friends are holding at Fakenham Community Centre tomorrow, ‘An Evening of Classical Music’, hopes to add to her total.

Tickets can be purchased in advance from Fakenham Salvation Army charity shop for £5, or they are available on the door. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start, and refreshments will be provided.

To support Hannah’s fundraising, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/hannahbaxter
embrace.