Published: Wednesday, 3rd February, 2010 12:52pm

Nurse climbs the highest mountain to support British Heart Foundation

by Iain Robertson

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Nurse Marcus Keavney is swapping the Emergency Room for Everest.

A FORMER Alva Academy student is swapping the emergency room for Everest to raise money for the British Heart Foundation.

Nurse Marcus Keaveney's father suffered a heart attack and went on to have a bypass operation which enables him to live an active life.

And the 36-year-old says that, added to 10 years in the NHS as a staff nurse, has exposed him to the benefits of the foundation's work first hand.

He continued, "I would like to give something back to the British Heart Foundation, and basically I am trekking to Everest base-camp in Nepal with a group of others raising money for them - I'm very proud to be doing this for such a worthy charity."

The trek is led by the foundation, although each individual has to raise their own sponsorship money of a minimum of £3350. Marcus has raised around £2800 to date, but hopes for a bit more than that before the final call.

Friends and family have been working hard to help raise funds.

Events have included a ceilidh night with raffle prizes, and pudding parties - one in Dollar and one in Shrewsbury.

A coffee morning due to be held in Glenfarg on 6 March, a charity beard shave and a jumble sale being held in the Burnside Hall, Dollar, on Saturday 13 February, from 10am until noon - all help towards boosting the size of the life-saving cheque that is handed over.

Kate Favell, events manager at the British Heart Foundation (BHF), said, "The Everest Base Camp is a once in a lifetime challenge - a great way to get heart healthy and raise money to help the BHF continue its lifesaving work.

"Good luck to Marcus with his training and fundraising - I look forward to meeting him on the trek."

And to prepare for what promises to be an energy sapping trek, Marcus has been training as hard as he can.

He said, "As far as training goes, I have been climbing as many hills as my work and family commitments allows, clocking up 13 Munros, a few Corbetts and Cadair Idris in Wales."

The group heading for Everest is from all over Britain, mostly England, and they leave from London on the 11 March, returning on 28 March.

Marcus will follow a trekkers path that winds its way past some of the most jaw-dropping scenery on the planet.

It's an area which holds the largest percentage of the world's tallest mountains, but the nurse knows only too well that danger as well beauty could be waiting.

He explained, "The main problems that we will face are likely to be digesting the local cuisine, and altitude sickness, which in the worst case scenario can cause death.

"A professional trekking company is used for guiding us there and a doctor will be part of the group, taking care of any medical emergencies."

The income raised from this event will help to fund pioneering research into the causes and treatment of heart disease among men, women and children.

Anyone who wants to support Marcus can donate at www.justgiving.com/marcuskeaveney