Everest mission for ex-soldier

21 March 2023

A gruelling 150k Tibetan trek awaits Ken Meek, a 63 year old former Warrant Officer from Rudloe, Wiltshire, who is about to undertake the Everest Base Camp expedition to raise funds for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

Ken, who was awarded an MBE for his military service in Kosovo, sets out on the 14th April for Kathmandu, then flies to Lukla to start the 14 day trek with four other adventurers, led by professional Sherpas.

Ken said: “There will be no showers for a fortnight, but at least we will all smell the same!’

The biggest challenge will be the risk of altitude sickness which can strike anyone, of any age and no matter how fit.

Ken said: ‘I’ll admit it is a bit of a worry, but that’s why there are professional and knowledgeable guides. Providing you do as you are told, and heed all the advice, we’ll be fine”

At a height of 5500m it will be important to take it easy, walking at no more than 2.5 to 3km per hour. There will also be acclimatisation climbs, 14km up and back on 2 days to get the body used to the depleted oxygen.

Being ex-Army, Ken is no stranger to keeping fit. He is a keen cyclist, covering up to 50km per day around his home county, and when not cycling, he walks between 10 to 18 km at a brisk pace to maintain his fitness levels. In between all of this, he is a volunteer for the Cotswold Voluntary Wardens, and with, other like-minded volunteers, spends time maintaining pathways, repairing fences, planting trees, and otherwise ensuring that the Cotswold landscape is well managed.

Ken decided to raise funds for SSAFA as his wife, Trish, is a SSAFA volunteer at the Tri-Services Cotswold Centre in Corsham, which provides emergency accommodation for service families. Trish has accompanied Ken on his many global postings, including time in Hong Kong, Cyprus and Berlin, as well as Tidworth, Bordon and Aldershot.

Trish says: “Being a member of a service family, I have seen first hand the stress this can put on families, let alone the extraordinary pressures that going to war puts on the service person themselves. SSAFA looks after everyone, those still serving and veterans too.”