A group of NHS consultants have taken on the Annapurna Base Camp trek in Nepal to help raise money for charity.
The seven consultants from across University Hospitals Tees are raising funds for North Tees and Hartlepool Together Charity to support paediatric diabetes services, in memory of their friend and colleague, Dr David Pitchard. The group included Dr Santhosh Puthuraya, Dr Savin Pokhrel, Dr Subramani Diwakar, Dr Tariq Azad, Dr Valasubramaniam Mahadevan, Dr Raj Mishra and Dr Deepak Mane.
The expedition saw the group cover 30,000ft, trekking over 60 miles across 10 days. The consultants reached Annapurna Base Camp in Nepal at 4,130 metres (13,550 feet), as well as Machhapuchhre Base Camp, which features the iconic ‘Fishtail Peak’.
Despite the picturesque surroundings and views of the Himalayan peaks, the group battled through rain, hail and snow to reach the summit areas, as well as taking on the ‘never-ending steps’ of the Annapurna.
The team prepared with three months of training, walking hills across Teesside, although nothing could fully prepare them for the challenges of altitude sickness. The consultants spoke of the physical and mental demands of the trek, with one team member continuing despite being unwell.
To round off their trek, the team also delivered a one day regional anaesthesia workshop at Dhulikhel Hospital in Nepal. They are already considering what their next challenge could be.
The group completed the trek on 5 April 2026 and have already raised £1,890 towards their £2,000 target.
If you would like to donate or find out more information, visit the groups JustGiving fundraising page.