A former Saffron Walden County High student is embarking on a charity expedition to Mount Everest base camp.

Hannah Heywood, a 22-year-old from Ashdon, is hoping to raise money for Childreach International – a charity which works in developing countries to improve children’s access to healthcare, education and protection.

The University of Glasgow student, who will be joined on the trip by 15 of her peers, is looking forward to getting the climb underway next month.

“It’s going to be good fun – the people I’m going with are great but it will definitely take me out of my comfort zone,” said Hannah. “Nepal is an amazing place and will be such a different culture. I’ve never been anywhere that’s not massively westernised so I can’t wait to see how different it is.

“We fly into Katmandu and then on to the tiny Lukla Airport – which apparently is the most dangerous airport in the world! From there we get a few days to adjust to the altitude and then begin the 17,000 foot climb.”

It will be the second fundraising trip Hannah has done for Childreach International. She previously walked from John O’ Groats to Glasgow.

“I hope taking part in this expedition will also raise awareness of the great work Childreach does,” she said.

“The charity is quite close to my heart. A lot of students raise money for Childreach because the charity does a lot of the things bigger charities do but is not so well known.

“They take an active role in improving education, healthcare, and changing laws to improve the lives of children living in terrible conditions around the world.

“In Nepal, the biggest problem facing children is child-trafficking into India. Childreach educate the children on what to do in a situation where they feel unsafe and it gives them helplines to call.”

She added: “While I’m in Nepal, I get go to one of their projects – a school that they help, while we’ll also meet local people and be camping along the way. It won’t be easy so I’m in training, doing lots of running and cycling!”

To donate to Hannah’s cause, visit mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/yougoglencoco.