As the team and I puffed and slogged our final steps to base camp, we looked up and were immediately overwhelmed by feelings of both tiredness and ecstasy – that we had succeeded in our quest and managed to help raise thousands of pounds for Dreams Come True.

To see a picture gallery of the team's journey click on the green button.

All great adventures have their low points, and ours was no exception, but the important thing for me was that each and every one of us dug deep into our mental and physical reserves and triumphed over our personal Everests, and came out smiling at the other side.

For me it was unbelievable that we were 18,000 feet high – a height that just a fraction of people in the world will experience.

Looking around, the strange moonscape of ice, bright white rock and those magical mountains seemed to envelop us, and it certainly made me realise that all our problems at home pale in comparison to these masters of the world. Everest will outlive us all.

I have to confess that before setting off, I had no idea of the emotional and physical toll this trip would have.

I thought that it would be a fairly manageable trek, and that we would all get there easily, but I was wrong.

Before setting off we were warned about altitude sickness, a potentially-fatal condition which can affect anyone of any age, fit or not-so-fit and curiously whether you have spent time at high altitudes or not.

I think we all probably underestimated the effect this would have on us and just how tough the next few weeks were going to be.

My own low moment arrived on the second day of the trek at Phakding. I developed a stomach bug in Kathmandu, and woke up in the night feeling awful.

The morning was no better and not improved by the knowledge that I had to complete a steep climb, the equivalent of Snowdon, that afternoon.

Despite feeling a shadow of myself, I struggled up that climb through stomach cramps and sickness – much of the journey was a blur.

There were moments when I just wanted to stop, and I really had to fight with myself to carry on.

The Sherpas were wonderful, they stopped when I stopped and helped me muster my strength to get to Namche.

On the return journey, negotiating some of the steep steps, I couldn't believe that I had made my way up.

On the way down I was able to enjoy the stunning scenery which I had missed.

I got through my dark day, but everyone else had theirs to come.

There were many bouts of sickness, and altitude sickness hit several people – one morning we lost three people to it who had to return to lower altitudes and sadly weren't able to come to base camp with us.

The scenery throughout the trip was inspiring, peaceful and offered much time for contemplation.

Higher up, the temperatures became colder and the winds really knew how to bite. Breathing also became much harder, especially at night, and many of us found it a worrying experience lying in our sleeping bags trying to breathe in an atmosphere without much oxygen.

The trek was certainly the most difficult thing I have done in my life so far, but despite the physical difficulties, I would do it all again.

I met some wonderful people, and was introduced to a fantastic country which I would very much like to visit again one day.

Most importantly, the trek taught me many things about myself, and other people – that we are all much tougher than we think and that humour and laughter will always see you through.

This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and although I have been back for only a few days, I feel it has changed me.

Work and life can be stressful, but I think that now with each situation, I will deal with it by breathing deeply, thinking of the clear blue skies of Nepal and summoning up the peaceful sight of Everest rising above the world.

No words I could ever write would be able to justice to this amazing trip.

The only way to understand what our group went through is to experience it, and there is no better cause than to help dreams come true for some of the most needy children.

* The next Everest trek will take place from May 9 until May 28. For more information contact Dreams Come True on 01730 815000 or see www.dctc.org.uk



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