Ex-navy officer from Fareham set to scale world's tallest mountain range for charity

Karen Font-Garcia has signed up to trek 60km – some 37 miles – across the Himalayas.

The ex-lieutenant, who is now a life coach and celebrant, is already in training for the trek, which will see her scaling heights of almost 3,000m.

For many, the task would be a daunting one.

But high-spirited Karen said her 16 years in the navy have prepared her for any challenge, including tackling a tough mountain range.

‘I’m incredibly excited about it,’ she said.

‘It’s exhilarating knowing that you will be doing something that will help charity.’

Karen will be raising money for the Countess Mountbatten Hospice, in Southampton, as well as a Portsmouth-based armed forces charity that she is yet to decide.

She said the idea to take on the challenge was a spur-of-the-moment one.

However, for Karen, tackling fundraising tasks on a whim is something she has successfully done before.

In November, she agreed to do the Great South Run, in Portsmouth – just two weeks before the race.

Despite the short notice, Karen managed to raise an impressive £1,111 for Hounds for Heroes.

For her latest event Karen has thankfully given herself more time to fundraise.

She has until July to drum-up a total of £3,830, a target she is well on her way to hitting – she’s already raised almost £820.

Speaking of why she is fundraising for the hospice, Karen added through her work she has seen the incredible support places like Countess Mountbatten can give to bereaved families.

She said: ‘Life is about living but at the end of that journey it’s about being as peaceful as possible.

‘The hospice and all the staff are just incredible in helping achieve this.’

Karen, who served aboard HMS Battleaxe and Portsmouth Type 42 destroyer HMS Cardiff, is appealing for help in fundraising.

To support her, see justgiving.com/karenfontgarciabackit or text TREK54 plus the amount you wish to donate to 70070.