A WAR reporter has recounted her gruelling struggle to Everest base camp in her bid to raise thousands of pounds for injured soldiers.

Kaija Gosling faced biting-winds, sub-zero temperatures and altitude sickness during a 19-day hike to the foot of the world’s tallest mountain.

The 33-year-old, who was born in Great Yarmouth and lived in Caister, embarked on the trip after witnessing the horrors of modern warfare during a 13 week spell in Afghanistan.

The Everest journey saw the former BBC and ITV journalist joined by injured servicemen and involved hiking nine hours per day. She raised more than �6,000 for Help for Heroes, while the group raised �100,000 for the charity so far.

She said: “There were times when I thought I wouldn’t make it, but then I would look across at the injured guys on the trip and they kept me going.

“We had to keep reminding ourselves to look up at the scenery because you spent most of the time looking at your feet to concentrate on walking.

“The first time I saw Everest I was on the crest of a hill, we were all so tired, but even catching a glimpse of it takes your breath away.”

Kaija, who works for British Forces Broadcasting Services, spent nearly two weeks last year working with British and NATO forces in Afghanistan.

During this time, she visited the Camp Bastion hospital, lived with soldiers and took foot patrols where roadside bombs were found.

The reporter attended Caister High School and Yarmouth College before training as a journalist and moving to Surrey.

Her parents are Barbara and Stephen Larke of Larke Estate Agents, Yarmouth.