A young woman from Dalston in Carlisle is set to trek to Mount Everest Base Camp this year to raise money for a local mental health charity close to her heart.

Abbie Wilson will visit Nepal in just under a month's time, and has already raised more than £1,400 for Carlisle Eden MIND. 

The local mental health charity offers help, support, advice and local services to anyone who needs it.

As a mental health support worker, Carlisle Eden MIND was an obvious choice for Abbie when she was setting up her fundraiser.

She said: "I used to volunteer for Carlisle Eden MIND in 2017, and I've fundraised for them before, doing a skydive in 2019. I am a mental health support worker, having a degree and masters in psychology so I see first-hand just how needed what they do is.

"It's always been really close to mine and my family's hearts, that's why I initially volunteered with them back in 2017 and 2018. When I decided I was going to go to Base Camp, they were the only charity that I could fundraise for.

"The work they do is incredible and is needed now more than ever since the coronavirus pandemic which is why any sponsorship will be massively appreciated.".

Abbie's dad runs a local coaching business, training people to run ultra-marathons, so she feels confident about the challenge of reaching the base camp, which has an altitude of 17,598 feet.

She said:  "I remember when I was little, my dad used to take me out into the Lakes and I hated it. It was never something that I thought I would have enjoyed until the last couple of years. I've just been trying to get out as much as possible, and get to the gym, building my cardio and endurance."

Abbie is generously self-funding her trip, meaning all of the £1,425 she has raised so far will go to Carlisle Eden MIND. 

You can donate here.