TWO intrepid fundraisers face a mountain of a challenge in their bid to support an Exminster charity.

The ambitious fundraiser will see John Powell and Andy Green head off to the Himalayas, hiking to Everest Base Camp then onwards and upwards to Island Peak, an ascent of over 6,000m.

John, Director of Unicare Devon, which provides domiciliary care across Teignbridge, and Andy Green of One Touch Health, a software provider supporting social care teams, are taking on the epic challenge in aid of Westbank health and wellbeing charity.

They are funding the entire trip themselves so every penny donated goes straight to Westbank.

John explained: ‘Unicare Devon is dedicated to supporting family carers in the Teignbridge area and that’s what has inspired us to take on this fundraiser for Westbank, a fantastic Exminster-based charity that does vital work across the whole of our county.

‘Westbank’s Devon Carers service currently provides practical and emotional support to 34,000 unpaid adult carers and Westbank’s Devon Young Carers supports several thousand carers aged under 18.

‘By making a donation, you’ll be helping us to help them.’

Andy said: ‘This is only my second attempt at a full-scale mountain.

‘The highest I have climbed before is only 4,200m on a pass three years ago before becoming unwell with altitude sickness.

‘So, it will be quite a challenge for me. However, the preparation I’ve done with an altitude simulator has been a great help and will hopefully get me to the top.’

John added: ‘We’ve been training for months in preparation for this challenge and are funding the trip ourselves because we want to raise as much money as possible for our cause.

‘We can’t wait to get our climb underway.’

John and Andy will be setting off tomorrow and returning on Tuesday November 4.

One extra item they will be packing with their kit is a flag emblazoned with Westbank’s logo to place on the summit when they complete their challenge.

To donate go to: www.westbank.org.uk/fundraisers/john-and-andys-fundraiser-for-westbank-community-health-care