A WINSFORD schoolgirl scaled the heights of Everest to raise money for the Himalayan Trust.

Anna Holden, a Year 10 pupil at Abbey Gate, took part in the charity fundraising trip to Nepal with her parents and a group of her father’s work colleagues who are all pilots from Thomson Airways.

The trip was organised and led by one of the pilots, Nepalese Ang Zangbu Sherpa, who was born and brought up in the mountains around Everest and educated in the schools set up by Sir Edmund Hilary and the Himalayan Trust.

The group of 20 flew out to Kathmandu where they stayed for two days sorting out equipment and trekking licences, before taking a light aircraft to the little mountain airstrip at Lukla.

An eight-day trek to Base Camp ensued, which included two days of acclimatising to avoid altitude sickness.

The group carried their own day pack with drinking water, snacks and extra clothing and duffel bags containing sleeping bags and spare clothing.

Other belongings were carried on the backs of Skopjos, or Joes, a cross between a cow and a yak.

The group were accompanied by six Sherpa Guides, Anna was the first to set off, snapping at the heels of the lead Sherpa.

Of the 14 people aiming to reach Everest Base Camp and Kala Patthar – a peak of 5,645m near Base Camp – only eight managed to complete the challenge.

Gavin Allmand, deputy head, said: “Anna did very well, not just to complete the challenge but to do it with so much energy and enthusiasm, never once complaining about the cold, the harsh conditions or the lack of oxygen.

“In fact she made such an impression on the Nepalese organiser that she now has two job offers working with charities in that area for her gap year, should she choose to return!

“Anna followed her trek by giving an excellent assembly to the whole of the senior school about her experiences in Nepal and we wish her all the best for her future fundraising adventures.”