A County Armagh woman will be scaling new heights when she embarks on a trek to Everest Base Camp and beyond in memory of her grandmother, who sadly passed away after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.
And Alexandra Molnar, who is originally from Hungary, will be undertaking the huge challenge – under the umbrella ‘The Journey of Hope: Northern Ireland to Everest Base Camp’ – to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.
It is not the first time that Alexandra has set herself an ‘uphill’ task, having previously mastered Mount Kilimanjaro.
And now her focus is on training ahead of October’s adventure, a challenge which she describes as “deeply personal”.
Alexandra, who now lives in Craigavon, told Armagh I: “I feel like Macmillan is such a really great charity, the support they give to people. I do know personally a good few of my friends who, unfortunately, had people with cancer and Macmillan supported them. What they do is just incredible.
“I just chose them because they don’t get enough recognition. I know we always hear about them, but they do need the money to be able to keep going and give people support. So many people get diagnosed with cancer and it’s quite personal for me.”
The 35-year-old lost her grandmother five years ago but said: “It never leaves me.
“During the Covid pandemic, my granny was diagnosed with a Stage 4 brain tumour. By the time it was discovered, we were told she had just a few precious months left. Despite travel restrictions, I was fortunate enough to spend one final week with her before she passed away.
“Her strength and courage continue to inspire me every day.”
Alexandra is due to leave Northern Ireland on October 8 and the trek itself will begin two days later. Having signed up with Evertrek, she will join a team of 15 – whom she has never met before – and the expedition is expected to take 16 days – all being well – to complete.
“This is far from an easy adventure,” added Alexandra. “Over several days, I will trek through diverse and demanding terrain, from beautiful rhododendron forests and traditional Sherpa villages to rugged mountain trails, icy moraines and high-altitude landscapes.
“Starting from near sea level, I will climb to Everest Base Camp at 5,364 metres (17,598 feet), surrounded by some of the highest peaks on Earth.
“But the challenge doesn’t stop there. To make every step count, I will continue the ascent to Kala Patthar, reaching an altitude of 5,554 metres (18,222 feet).
“The climb is steep, physically demanding and made even harder by the thin mountain air, but from the summit I will be rewarded with one of the most spectacular panoramic views in the entire Himalayas, including a breathtaking close-up view of Mount Everest itself.
“What appeals to me most about this is that success is not achieved through one big effort, but through consistent preparation, patience and taking one step at a time. I believe this reflects many situations in life where people face significant challenges and need encouragement, support and perseverance to reach their goals.
Alexandra after completing her trek on Kilimanjaro, which raised £1,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
“I am looking forward to further developing my confidence, resilience and adaptability through the experience. These are qualities I believe are important in both personal and professional settings, particularly in organisations such as Macmillan Cancer Support, where empathy, commitment and supporting people through difficult journeys are at the heart of the work they do.”
Alexandra began her training in June but admits she has “still a long way to go”.
“I do train four or five times a week at the gym,” she explained. “It requires a lot of high intensity training, endurance and strength, lots of steps, and then I try and get out for a hike as well on my days off.
“I spend a lot of time on a stairmaster and on the treadmill, whenever I’m at the gym and not hiking. I’m doing weight training and strengthening for legs, back and core. It’s very important to have a good strength.
“I chose this challenge because it pushes me outside of my comfort zone and requires resilience, determination and a positive mindset. I’ve been following a structured fitness programme, researching the route and altitude risk, and developing a plan to manage the physical and mental demands of this expedition.”
Alexandra has started a JustGiving page and donations will go towards Macmillan Cancer Support, for which has raised £1,000 in 2025 after tackling Kilimanjaro.
“Every step I take will help raise awareness and vital funds for Macmillan,” she explained. “I pay for everything. It’s not funded by anyone.
Alexandra Molnar will be off to the Himalayas in October.
“I work a lot and then I go for it, and it’s just going to be an amazing adventure. It’s not just about raising money for cancer support. You have a whole different perspective of life after you experience such a hike. You feel like you’re more appreciative.
“Every day, more people across the UK are diagnosed with cancer. Behind every diagnosis is a person, a family and a journey that no-one should have to face alone. That’s why I am raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support, helping them continue their incredible work providing practical, emotional, physical and financial support to people living with cancer.”
Alexandra is incredibly grateful for the support of family and friends as she prepares for October’s trek.
And she hopes that the local community too will get behind her fundraising efforts, knowing that the money raised will help other families during the most difficult days of their lives.
“My friends and family are just amazed at what I’m doing,” she said. “They are so proud of me that I keep going. They just know what I set my mind to I’m going to do it.
“While this journey will test my endurance, determination and resilience, it is nothing compared to the challenges faced every day by those living with cancer and the families who support them.
“I hope that by taking on this challenge, I can raise vital funds to help Macmillan continue providing life-changing support to those who need it most.
“I just really hope people will support me, even with a share.
“Ultimately, my why is simple: I want to turn personal loss into something positive. If this journey helps even one person feel supported – or helps one family to get the care and guidance they need – then every mile, every climb and every challenge along the way will be worth it.”
If you would like to support Alexandra’s fundraiser for Macmillan Cancer Support, you can do so here.
