Bingo! Record attempt a success

Janet and her teammates began training for the feat in 2008

A Bournemouth woman has successfully trekked to the Base Camp of Mount Everest to set the record for the world's highest game of bingo.

Sixty-year-old Janet Pankhurst, who works for a gambling company, joined 24 of her colleagues for the successful attempt.

They raised over £100,000 for cancer charity Sue Ryder Care by climbing the 17,500ft (5334m) mountain.

They overcame the risk of dehydration, deep vein thrombosis and frostbite.

Mount Everest is the latest in a string of challenges for Janet

Bingo!

Prior to the trip, Janet said: "We couldn't exactly get away going to Everest Base Camp and not doing a game of bingo while we were up there."

On completing the trek Janet said it had been "simply unbelievable" to have been part of the world record setting team.

She said: "Despite all the hardships we endured on the way to Everest Base Camp, it was a once in a lifetime challenge and it's great to finally be able to say that I've trekked to the 'top of the world'.

"The other trekkers at base camp simply couldn't believe it when we started pulling out the calling cards, dabbers and bingo balls for the record attempt - I'm sure they thought we had altitude sickness!

"But the support, camaraderie and cheers that erupted across Base Camp when we broke the record is a moment that I will never forget.

"I hope we did the world of bingo proud."

Happy Birthday

Janet and her teammates began training for this record feat in 2008.

Janet, who completed the trek as a 60th birthday present to herself, said: "Altitude sickness is the only thing you can't prepare for."

She did, however, carry out breathing exercises, recommended by her doctor.

Janet's "gruelling regime" also involved about 20 hours of exercise each week, including walking, gym work and swimming.

The Everest team were armed with calling cards, dabbers and bingo balls

Blisters galore

In training, Janet's main problem had been her feet.

She admitted: "I haven't got the best feet in the world and they do say if you're going to spend money on one thing, spend it on a good pair of boots.

"I spent just over £100 on a pair and it took the shop assistants an hour to fit me with the right ones.

"But six months down the line I lost two toe nails, I got blisters upon blisters on my feet and I had a septic big toe."

A good cause

No matter how difficult the climb or the world record attempt, Janet was glad it was all in aid of a good cause.

She said: "I've been to one of the Sue Ryder hospices and they do such terrific work for cancer patients.

"Having lost both my parents to cancer, that was my main reason for doing the climb."

Paul Woodward, Chief Executive of Sue Ryder Care, said: "On behalf of everyone at Sue Ryder Care I want to say a massive thank you and congratulations to all the trekkers.

"This is a truly fantastic endeavour- firstly in completing the trek but also in the tremendous amount of money that has been raised.

"This money will go a long way in supporting our work in caring for people living with conditions including Cancer, Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis and Brain injury".

"Lease of life"

Janet's climb is perhaps more of an achievement because she is a recovering alcoholic who has not had an alcoholic drink since she was 53 years old.

She said: "You never get rid of the stigma, but I gave up almost seven years ago.

"I feel like I've got a new lease of life.

"If I have one more [drink] I'd be back on it and then I would die.

"For six months last year I was in Africa doing voluntary work, I've just done this in Nepal and next year I'm sure something else will come my way, which I'll want to grab with both hands.

"To anybody out there who has got a slight drink problem, or a big one - if I can do it, you can do it!"

For more information about the trek visit:

Gala Coral: Everest Trek