Thompsons md reaches Everest base camp

Builders merchant Anne Ganley, managing director of north east independent builders merchants Thompsons Building Centres has successfully reached base camp on Mount Everest.
Ganley was part of a group of 19 business people raising money for a whole range of charities through the gruelling trip. Getting to base camp means climbing 17,500 of the mountain’s 29,029ft.

“After my first day’s walking I had severe altitude sickness and none of us were sure if I would have to come home,” she said. “I got up the next day very weak and just slowly did one step at a time and by the evening I had completed one of the hardest days of the journey but was able to eat so put that behind me.”

The altitude meant that the group’s lung capacity was only operating at 50% near the end of the ascent.

“I don’t know where I got that final surge of energy from,” she said. “It was exhilarating realising that’d actually done it, we were all buzzing.”

Charities to benefit from the trip are: Grace House Hospice, St Oswald’s Hospice, St Benedict’s Hospice, the Salvation Army, Brothers In Arms and the Bobby Robson Cancer Care Centre.

Brent Ganley, who is operations director at Thompson Building Centres said that everyone was “very proud” that Anne had reached her goal.

“Anyone who knows her knows how determined she is but this is a massive challenge and we are thrilled and delighted that she’s achieved her goal,” he said.

Anyone wanting to support the event can still donate via http://www.everyclick.com/anneganley.