COURAGEOUS individuals from a wealth management company in Cirencester raised more than £200,000 after completing one of the world's most demanding treks.

A group of brave partners and employees from St. James’s Place in Cirencester completed a 17,500ft sponsored trek of the Everest Base Camp Trek in Nepal in November.

Dizzying altitude, extreme and cold weather conditions, demanding terrain, and mental and physical stress were just some of the challenges endured by the 21 individuals who took part in the 14-day trek.

A year after the first ever successful Everest Basecamp trek in 2012, members of the St. James’s Place Community, Hazel Grace, Nadine Phillips along with Roger Owen (who later went onto summit Mount Everest), founded the charity Supporting Nepal’s Children.

The charity is run by a small group of volunteers and its mission is to enable all Nepali children to benefit from an education and remain part of the local community. 

The latest trek helped to raise £220,000 for Supporting Nepal’s Children and the work of the St. James’s Place Charitable Foundation.

Scott Andrews, from Williamson Wealth Management, said: “The whole experience was mind blowing – from the people to the environment and of course being surrounded by the world’s tallest mountains.

"Meeting the people in Nepal had the biggest impact on me.

"For a country and people, that in comparison to the UK, could be perceived to having so much less than others, they are the friendliest and most generous I’ve met.” 

Tobias Colton, from Tobias Colton Wealth Management, said: “A few of my favourite memories were of the children we gave presents to on the trail and the look of awe on their faces as they watched bubbles float into the sky.

"The day we arrived in Namche was a stark reminder of why we were there.

"As we walked through the town, numerous people approached charity trustee Hazel to thank her with such sincere gratitude and warmth as Supporting Nepal’s Children had supported them and their families.”

St. James’s Place employee and returning trekker to Nepal Jan Jago said: “This country, its people and the difference we can make is an infectious driver to return year on year!”