Peterborough woman rescued in Nepal on Everest fundraiser

Vikash Jayaswal, pictured with his wife Madhurita, were heading to base camp when she fell ill

A woman had to be rescued in Nepal while on a fundraising expedition to Everest's base camp with her family.

Madhurita Jayaswal, 48, from Peterborough, was six kilometres (3.7 miles) from the final destination when her oxygen fell to dangerous levels.

She was evacuated by helicopter but it was agreed her family should continue the charity trek for a school in India.

Husband Vikash, who was with his two children, said she was "devastated" she could not finish and was recovering.

The family was due to head back to the UK on Saturday.

The four had spent 11 days earlier this month trekking to Everest's base camp.

When they arrived at Lobuche, near the end of the journey, Madhurita's oyxgen levels dropped to 56 when they should have been above 80, said Mr Jayaswal.

The 49-year-old said she was taken to Kathmandu, but it was decided the rest of the family should continue on to complete the charity challenge and raise vital funds.

The family had been training for months for the expedition

The Peterborough family, including the couple's two children - son Vivaan, 11, and 14-year-old daughter Tarannum - had been in training for months for the fundraising trip.

Mr Jayaswal, a businessman, and his wife set up a foundation to fund and expand a school for marginalised families in India, the Galaxy Gurukul.

They completed a number of fundraising events before deciding to take on the base camp mission.

Mr Jayaswal said conditions were tough on the trek.

"We couldn't shower for 14 days and we lived on the journey in a very basic fashion," he said.

Father Vikash and his children managed to reach base camp for charity

He added that when the three reached their final destination - at 17,598 feet (5,364 metres) - there were mixed emotions.

"The intense training that we went through was nothing compared to the actual mammoth task of hiking base camp," he said.