IT’S so high, just breathing requires a Herculean effort.

But that hasn’t stopped a hardy team of amateur cricketers trekking to Mount Everest in Nepal to attempt to set a world record – playing a field sport at the highest ever altitude.

Winchester-born Victoria Nicholson, who is helping to organise next month’s expedition, says that the 50-strong group will attempt to play a Twenty20 cricket match at Gorak Shep Plateau, which stands at 17,000ft (5,165m).

It is hoped that the challenge will raise more than £250,000 for charities The Himalayan Trust UK and The Lord’s Taverners.

The 26-year-old, of Charlwood, near Ropley, said: “It’s important and exciting to be doing something for charity, especially at the moment. I think they suffer when things are a bit tighter.”

Victoria, who attended Peter Symonds College, said: “There will be blood, sweat and tears. It will be emotional because we have all put so much into it.”

For more information or to sponsor Victoria, e-mail nicholsonvictoria@hotmail.com.