From bed bound to bound for Everest

Lorraine has raised more than £15,000 doing challenge events to help us continue our work rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care.

To support Lorraine's challenge visit her JustGiving page to donate.

Fundraising for animals

Lorraine, who in 2014 received an RSPCA Honour, the Arthur Broome Bronze award in recognition of her contribution to animal welfare, has two rescue dogs - Bella, a black labrador and Rua, a red setter collie cross, as well as 12 hens who were rescued from a battery farm. Talking of her motivation, Lorraine said:

I've been a lifelong animal lover. I've been vegetarian for 30 years and vegan for 11 years. I have had rescue dogs, cats and chickens, and I often campaign on animal welfare issues.

From bed bound to bound for Everest

After four years of fundraising for the animals in our care, this will be Lorraine's biggest challenge yet...

Twelve years ago when Lorraine Carey was suffering from a second prolapsed disc and had to undergo painful spinal surgery the idea of trekking to Everest Base Camp would have seemed impossible.

The 47-year-old first suffered from a slipped disc 20 years ago and underwent essential spinal surgery. Then just eight years later she suffered from a second, severe prolapsed disc which left her bed bound and in agonising pain for six months.

When she finally recovered after two spinal surgeries, Lorraine had a renewed zest for life and decided to dedicate a year taking on various physical challenges and fundraising for our work helping rescue animals. Lorraine said:

At that point, I just wanted my life back. After I recovered and regained my confidence, it really did make me grab every opportunity and make the most out of life.

Lorraine's recovery fuelled a passion for challenge events

One year turned into five, and after (inhale) a series of runs and walks, a skydive, a 5k open water swim, the Yorkshire Three Peaks, the Lake District 10 Peaks, the Welsh 12 Peaks, Tough Mudder, half and full marathons (exhale), Lorraine is now trekking Mount Kilimanjaro too.

Lorraine has now pledged to take on her final and most challenging trek to date...She is tackling 'The Big Expawdition' trekking for 18-days to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, standing at a dizzying 17,600ft this September. Lorraine, a personal trainer, animal lover and vegan, said:

It's always been on my bucket list to do Everest and when I saw that the RSPCA were doing it as a group, I realised that I could do it not just for the charity - but with the charity. I knew that I had to get involved.

It was supposed to be just one year of fundraising for the RSPCA but I'm now in the fifth year with Everest as the pinnacle of all my challenges.

Lorraine has raised more than £15,000 doing challenge events to help us continue our work rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals in desperate need of care.

Lorraine's motivation is better welfare for animals

Speaking of her charity work, Lorraine said:

Not only does the RSPCA rescue animals but they also carry out cruelty investigations and work tirelessly to change the laws for animal welfare, for example, with animal testing. They are not just reacting to the day to day calls but they are also proactive behind the scenes. I think the public doesn't always see that side of them but it's just as important. My fundraising is a way for me to support the work of the RSPCA.

Facing the big challenge

Starting in the Nepalese town of Lukla, Lorraine and the team will take on a trek which winds higher and higher in the Himalayas, through forests, gorges, rivers and icefalls. The high altitude of Everest Base Camp is likely to have a huge effect on the trekkers and coupled with sub-zero temperatures the challenge will be extremely tough.

Lorraine's advice to anyone thinking of participating in this, or a similar challenge, is:

You'll never regret doing it but you may regret not doing it. It's an amazing life experience - and it makes it a million times better if you believe in something because you will have dark moments. It's 18 days living out of a rucksack, you're out of your comfort zone and away from family and friends. I'm sure there will be points where I want to go home but remembering why I'm doing this is really important.