A HALE Barns beauty therapist who was caught up in the devastating earthquake that claimed the life of 8,000 people in Nepal in 2015 is walking the length of New Zealand to help rebuild the country.

Adele-Ivy Harris, 25, and her partner Carl Hutchinson, 30, are 15 weeks into a mammoth six-month trek of the 3,000km Te Araroa Trail to raise money for the Himalayan Trust’s Nepal Earthquake Rebuild.

The couple were inspired to take up the challenge after witnessing first-hand the aftermath of the cataclysmic earthquake, which struck on April 25 2015.

They were travelling through Nepal when the 7.8 magnitude quake hit and were involved in the initial clean-up, clearing away rubble and building bamboo shelters and temporary tarpaulin shelters.

Adele, a former Altrincham Grammar School, said: “Although we did some volunteering after the quake it didn’t feel like enough and leaving Nepal was difficult knowing that so many families were still in need of urgent help. It was then we decided to trek the entire length of New Zealand and on the Te Araroa Trail to raise money for Himalayan Trust.”

Adele and Carl, who walk on average 20km a day, hope to raise £10,000 and are fundraising in towns and cities they walk through.

They will reach the Tararua Ranges on the North Island this weekend before continuing to Auckland and their final destination, Cape Reinga.

“I’ve found the journey straightforward, complicated, frustrating and elating,” said Adele, who worked at Ki Day Spa in Altrincham prior to travelling.

“Every day has brought a new challenge, sometimes mental, sometimes physical.

“Each mountain climbed and forest path rambled along brings a new sense of achievement, especially knowing that all money raised as a result of our fundraising hike is going towards the rebuild in Nepal.”

Himalayan Trust General Manager Prue Smith said the trust is rebuilding classrooms, teacher’s quarters, student hostels and toilet blocks in at least 40 schools in the Everest region where it works.

“We are estimating it may take five years to repair and rebuild all the damaged buildings in the isolated Everest region where we work, particularly as we want to make sure the new classrooms meet the new seismic-resilient building codes to better ensure the safety of children and teachers in case of a similar disaster,” said Prue. “The money raised by Carl and Adele will be an enormous help to our ongoing rebuild work.”

To follow the couple’s journey and make a donation, visit ourrambles.com.