A WINSFORD funeral director and former radio DJ has successfully trekked to Mount Everest basecamp to raise money for charity.

Dave Fowles flew from London Heathrow to Kathmandu on Tuesday, October 25, returning to the UK on Thursday, November 10.

This was Dave’s fourth trek for charity, having already climbed Mount Kenya, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mount Elbrus in southern Russia, and trekked to Machu Pichu in Peru.

Four charities are set to benefit from Dave’s Everest trek: The Joshua Tree; St Luke’s Hospice; the British Heart Foundation and the North West Air Ambulance Charity.

Northwich Guardian: Dave and his fellow trekkers ascending towards Cho La Pass (Dave Fowles)Dave and his fellow trekkers ascending towards Cho La Pass (Dave Fowles) (Image: Dave Fowles)

Dave’s latest trek brings his fundraising total to more than £48,000, and as he funds the expeditions from his own pocket, every penny goes to his nominated charities.

The father-of-three said: “My highlight would have to be Cho La Pass. We had to walk four hours over a glacier to get there, but it is incredible.

“The sad thing was that you could see how quickly the glacier was melting, which gave a harsh insight into the progress of global warming.

"You then have to climb for hours up a vertical wall, scrambling up the side of the mountain, and after that I was broken. I’ve never been that bad after a walk before. I literally collapsed on the bed.

“The opportunity arose the night before, when one of the guys had to helicopter out because of the altitude, to jump on the helicopter and miss it out. I’m glad I didn’t, because looking back, it was probably the best part."  Northwich Guardian: Dave's trekking party head for Mount Everest (Dave Fowles)Dave's trekking party head for Mount Everest (Dave Fowles) (Image: Dave Fowles)

Dave was once a DJ for Midlands commercial radio station Touch FM, but in 2010 he became the sixth generation to join the family business, Fowles Funeral Services, which has been operating in Winsford for more than 200 years.

Dave added: “I’ve brought the dreaded ‘Khumbu cough’ back, from breathing in the high-altitude cold air and the dust. It’s a good excuse not to go to the gym for another week.

If you would like to read a full account of Dave’s expedition, include excellent pcitures, visit his blog at fowlesfuneralservices.com.