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Sisters defeat illness to reach Everest camp
TWO sisters overcame bouts of food poisoning and altitude sickness to complete a gruelling 14-day climb to Base Camp at Mount Everest.
Jenna and Hazel Akehurst's 5,364-metre ascent has so far raised 950 for Friends of East Sussex Hospices, which will be distributed among the nine hospices in the county, including St. Wilfrid's and Demelza.
Their choice of charity was inspired by their mum, Monica, who works as a nurse at Eastbourne's District General Hospital and sees the work of local hospices at first hand.
Although they now live and work in London, both Jennah and Hazel were brought up on a farm in Boreham Street near Herstmonceux.
Their mission was, quite literally, far from a walk in the park.
As well as having to endure the inevitable freezing weather conditions, on the fifth day, Jennah, 23, was struck down with food poisoning while Hazel almost succumbed to acute mountain sickness.
However, they overcame these hurdles and pushed on towards their ultimate goal – base camp of the highest mountain in the world.
As they climbed higher and higher, the sisters were sleeping at below freezing with their water bottles turning to ice overnight.
On the final stretch, they witnessed two avalanches – thankfully from a safe distance away.
After completing the climb, Jenna said, "It was no doubt the biggest challenge mentally and physically we have undertaken to date.
"However, we got to witness breathtaking views of the Himalayas, met some wonderful local Nepalese families and saw their way of living and we got the chance to stand at the base camp of the biggest mountain on earth.
"We are thankful for all those who sponsored us and gave us the opportunity to give a local charity some much needed support."
The two sisters are now back in Sussex and had a couple of days to rest and recuperate on their parents' farm in Hailsham before returning to work.
Jennah and Hazel are still taking donations on their page on the Just Giving website. For more information, visit www.justgiving.com/jennah-hazel-akehurst.
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Weather for Eastbourne
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
Wind direction: East
