Friday marks the start of Susanne and Stephen’s journey up to Mt Everest base camp to raise money and awareness for a local bereavement charity.

The couple from Kingsbridge will trek for 13 days all on their own costs, so all donations will go towards Cruse Bereavement Care Devon.

Stephen has been a Cruse Bereavement volunteer for eight years following his first wife, Susan’s death. He is one of the 70 bereavement volunteers in Devon who last year put in 10,464 hours and helped 791 clients.

Stephen said: “Cruse Devon will sadly go into the red this year. It has just ONE administrator for the whole of Devon, and as a result of the current finances has had to let go the ONE part time assistant putting unsustainable pressures on.

“No one wants to think the worst - that the Devon area may close - as it is the ONLY mainstream FREE service that helps people who have been bereaved in Devon.

“Referral numbers are on the increase as GP’s and mental health bodies refer more and more, and at the same time the funding we get is reduced.”

To donate to Susanne and Stephen’s cause, visit www.justgiving.com/StephenandSusanne.