A group of die hard bingo lovers are in training to prepare for the world’s toughest game at 17,500 feet above sea level. Next month 24 dedicated bingo players will tackle Everest in an attempt to smash the record for the World’s Highest Game of Bingo.

The intrepid trekkers will face dehydration, altitude sickness and deep vein thrombosis as they take part in a bingo pilgrimage to Everest’s Base Camp.

The plucky players – made up of Gala Coral employees from all over Britain – have been preparing for the toughest bingo game of their lives by engaging in gruelling training sessions closer to home to ensure they are well prepared for the rigours of playing bingo at altitude on the world’s highest mountain.

The extraordinary challenge is part of a fundraising effort for Gala Coral’s nominated charity, Sue Ryder Care.

The team hope that by scaling the world’s toughest mountain and setting a new world record for playing bingo at altitude they can smash their goal of raising £100,000 for the charity.

Staff from across Gala Coral have so far raised £750,000 for Sue Ryder Care and are well on their way to reaching their target of £1 million by the end of the year.

he brave bingo buffs will be trialling a new improved version of Gala Bingo’s High 5 game which promises players a fast and furious bingo experience like no other.

Dominic Harrison, chief executive of Gala Coral Group, said: “It seemed appropriate to break a world record by playing Gala Bingo’s High 5 game, the UK’s highest daily bingo jackpot, at the highest point ever recorded in history.

“If 24 half frozen bingo professionals can have a great time playing it at 17,500 ft, I’m confident it will be a rip-roaring success here in the UK. I am incredibly proud of every single person who has volunteered to undertake this challenge of a lifetime, and even prouder that we’ll be raising money for the excellent work of our nominated charity, Sue Ryder Care, whilst we’re at it. Good luck to them all.”

The trek to play the World’s Highest Game of Bingo will commence at Lukla on Monday October 19th and is due to finish at Everest Base Camp on Saturday October 24.