A FUN-LOVING family is tackling a daunting challenge, conquering Mount Everest in their own home.

Vickie Healey, husband Richard and four daughters are climbing up and down their stairs until they reach the summit of the earth's highest mountain in the Himalayas.

The Winsford trekkers have set up a JustGiving page and hopes to raise at least £500 for St Luke's Hospice.

"As a family we have been inspired by Captain Tom," said Vicki, 50, a teaching assistant at Darnhall Primary School. "We would like to raise money for our local community hospice at a time when they need our help and support more than ever.

"We love to go walking and have decided to climb our stairs until we reach the height of Mount Everest. That's 2,450 times."

Wearing climbing gear, the trekkers only set off on their expedition on Saturday and raised £155 in the first three days.

Northwich Guardian:

The Healey family, equipped with climbing gear, are trekking up and down their stairs at home on their charity Everest expedition

"It's a bit harder than we thought it was going to be," said Vicki. "It works out at 15 times up and down for each of us every day. After four, you have to sit down but it's a bit of exercise for us."

Three members of the family are key workers and the youngest girls are home schooling.

Dad Richard, 46, is a freight forwarding manager shipping manager at Manchester Airport.

Francesca, 16, is studying dance at South Cheshire College, and has extended her Saturday job to work part-time at B&M during the Covid-19 lockdown.

Twins Melissa and Annabel, 14, and Jemima, 13, are pupils at Leftwich County High School.

All the girls do martial arts as members of Paul Williams Karate Club and the three oldest are black belts.

Francesca dances with Impulse in Northwich and Jemima is a member of Dancing For Fun in Barnton.

Melissa is a junior member of Vale Royal Theatre Group and was rehearsing to perform in The Sound of Music but it was cancelled because of the pandemic.

Richard and the girls were planning to do a swimathon for St Luke's but it was cancelled due to the pandemic.

"We are an active family," said Vicki. "We like to go out walking, camping, bike riding and do things.

"I do all the charity liaising at Darnhall Primary School. We do loads for St Luke's but while we are not at school we are not doing anything.

"This is a bit of fun. We are taking pictures and videos of our adventures to encourage people to support the hospice.

READ > St Luke's Hospice doctor recovers from Covid-19

Northwich Guardian:

A flag will be hoisted at the top of the stairs when the Healey family reach the summit of Mount Everest

"We are expecting an 'avalanche' this week. Joanne is going to rip up pieces of paper and thrown them down the stairs. On the first day Richard fell down a 'crevice' and had to be rescued.

"The girls plan to make a flag to plant at the top of stairs when we have reached our goal.

"If everyone does something like this it will help hospice. Even if they only raise £100 it is better than nothing."

To support the Healey family's hike visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/victoria-healey7