Woman to trek to Everest base camp for charity

Sharmila Bayliss previously hiked 100km in the Sahara Desert, raising £7,000 for Martlets

A Lewes woman is to undertake the challenge of trekking to Mount Everest's base camp to raise funds for charity.

Sharmila Bayliss, 56, volunteers for Citizens Advice and is no stranger to taking on extreme challenges.

Two years ago, she hiked 62 miles (100km) in the Sahara Desert, raising £7,000 for Martlets in the process.

Ms Bayliss said although she was "petrified" of the freezing temperatures and altitude sickness, she was determined to do something exceptional to inspire people to donate to Citizens Advice.

The trek to the base camp is at an altitude of 5,364 metres (17,598 feet).

Sharmila Bayliss said the cost of living crisis had prompted many people to call Citizens Advice for help

Ms Bayliss said she had worked hard to get "super fit" for the trek.

"Unfortunately, if you're unlucky to get altitude sickness, then it's pretty much game over," she said.

"There's not a lot that you can do because you obviously have to stay medically safe."

The former dentist said due to the cost of living crisis, Citizens Advice had been inundated with calls.

"Citizens Advice is an invaluable service. At the moment, I can't tell you how busy we are with people phoning us with issues such as homelessness and rental costs," she said.

"It's become a mission of mine because when you are volunteering, you see the effect of Citizens Advice and the help it gives to people and how it changes their lives."

Ms Bayliss is set to travel to Nepal on 22 March.