South Tyneside brothers complete trek for charity

Two brothers who embarked on a gruelling 40-mile trek to Mount Everest base camp have completed their charity mission.

Arie and Rudi Van-de-Lang took on the world’s highest mountain in February in aid of local charity, Cancer Connections.

For 17 days the duo, who are both from South Shields, put their endurance skills to the test as they set off from Lukla to Mount Everest Base Camp in Nepal.

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They had hoped to undertake a longer trek through Nepal on their charity mission but time constraints meant they were unable to sign up to the challenge.

Arie, 36, a mechanical technician said: “It was the hardest and best thing we’ve ever done, but we both made it to Everest Base Camp.

“We walked with some amazing people and will never forget this. The trek was hard and not everyone we met on the way up made it, which was upsetting.”

The pair did hours of gym work ahead of the challenge and funded the trek themselves.

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Mr Van-de-Lang added: “We raised over £1,000 in the two weeks leading up to the trek which we are very happy with.

“We both paid for the trip ourselves to ensure every penny we raised through fundraising will go directly to Cancer Connections.”

The pair decided on raising funds for Cancer Connections after hearing about the charity, based in Harton Lane, South Shields, through a friend who is using the service.

Cancer Connections provides support and counselling to people diagnosed with cancer and their families.

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It also provides a range of therapies, benefits advice, a drop-in service and bereavement support.

Co-founder of the charity Deborah Roberts said: “Cancer Connections relies heavily on the generosity and fundraising efforts of others to enable us to provide the services that we do.

“We are always overwhelmed and grateful when people like Arie and Rudi come forward and want to help.

“Both of the men have done really well to have achieved what they have and I’m sure the memories of the trek will stay with them for years to come.

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“I would just like to say a big thank you to them both for taking part in the trek in aid of Cancer Connections.”

Cancer Connections is open Monday to Fridays from 9am until 5pm.

For information on the charity visit http://cancerconnections.org.uk/ or call 0191 456 5081.