A TRAIN driver manager from York has just returned from an expedition to Everest Base Camp.

First TransPennine Express employee Steve Whitehead, 44, together with Scarborough driver Darren Morley, 46, went on the adventure of a lifetime to raise funds for international children's charity, the Railway Children.

They have raised £1,000 so far through their eight-day trek, during which they fought to deal with altitude changes.

Steve said: "We spent the first few days walking through beautiful valleys and gorges with crystal blue melt water rivers meandering their way past us, before embarking on the challenge of the ascent to Namche Bazaar – a stunning town which is home of the Sherpa.

"The next part of the journey cannot be described with words. As we left the village, on an uninteresting path, we turned a corner and there she was. Everest. The mother earth, as the Nepalese describe it, was absolutely mesmerising and our attention had been fully captivated at this moment."

Both Steve and Darren are very active triathletes, who regularly take part in sporting activities, and have recently completed their first Ironman distance race (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run).

In the run up to the trek, they took part in a weekly training programme which included two sessions of swimming, two sessions of running and two or three bike rides.