A TEAM of Bolton trekkers have set off on a mammoth expedition to reach Everest base camp.

The group has so far raised more than £5,000 for North West Air Ambulance after one trekker was saved from life threatening injuries by the service in 2012.

Jennifer Edlington, 37, of Little Lever, crashed while on a motorbike in Darwen and suffered several serious injuries including a broken back, a broken pelvis, two collapsed lungs and a broken collar bone.

The North West Air Ambulance Charity airlifted Mrs Edlington to the trauma centre at Preston Royal Hospital in just four minutes where she received specialised treatment.

Mrs Edlington said: “Without the speed of North West Air Ambulance, I wouldn’t be here.

“I’m extremely grateful for what they did for me and raising money for them through this trek is the least I can do.

“For me, it’s all about pushing myself to do something I’ve never done before.”

A target of £5,000 was set by Barclays and Laltex & Co, who each promised to pledge an extra £1,000 if they reached it.

This takes the current running total to well over £7,000.

The team includes Mrs Edlington’s husband, Simon, 47, Michael Hales, 40, and Jay Standish, 28, all members of the Bolton based fitness group, Mud Bootcamp, which runs its classes from Leverhulme Park.

Michael Hales, who is a hospitality teacher at Salford College, said: “Our training has included climbing all the UK peaks, Ben Nevis, Snowden and Scafell Pike, alongside our training at Mud Bootcamp.

“Between us we have run countless fell races and Tough Mudder events across the country too.”

“We’ve also been spending time at the oxygen chamber at Ellis Brigham in Manchester to minimise the effect of altitude sickness.”

The expedition has been completely self-funded by the team in order to make sure that all of the funds raised will go directly to North West Air Ambulance.

To donate to the group, visit the Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/everestmudbootcamp/