A desire to escape the nine-to-five routine and raise money for a good cause has led two Bradford men to pack their knapsacks and head to Nepal for a gruelling challenge.

Between March 11 and 28, Naveed Hameed, 26, and Sajjad Sabir, 25, both of Manningham, will join 40 other fundraisers from across the UK, trekking to the Everest Base Camp in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

Naveed, who works in Otley as a web developer, said: “I was bored of mundane nine-to-five and wanted to do something. So when I read the BHF were offering a trek to Everest Base Camp, I signed up with the aim of achieving something great and to be able to look back and say ‘I have done that’.”

For Sajjad, who works in Saltaire as a web developer for the NHS, the challenge is more personal. His uncle recently died after a sudden heart attack and he wanted to raise funds and awareness of such a good cause.

Naveed said: “We have both sacrificed our own time, money and effort, and we are looking forward to the challenge. Even though it will be painful, the reward of reaching Everest Base Camp will make it all worthwhile.

“We want to thank all the people who have supported us so far. Their efforts have been immense, and due to their generosity our fundraising efforts have been minimal.”

Thanks to sponsors, notably yacc.co.uk, the pair have raised £5,000 between them, but would appreciate any more donations in aid of the BHF.

People can donate at the websites justgiving.com/ mohammednaveedhameed and justgiving.com/sajs.