After nine days of trekking, the 10 former Knights – along with 19 others in their group – reached Everest Base Camp on Tuesday in their march to raise money for brain cancer research.

The group included Newcastle 1997 premiership players Matthew Johns, Bill Peden, Matt Gidley, Paul Harragon and Steve Crowe as well as Knights greats Danny Buderus and Kurt Gidley.

They set a fundraising target of $500,000, and as of Tuesday, their tally was at  $448,125.

Donations can still be made on the Mark Hughes Foundation website.

“To reach our summit, all together, with everyone relatively fit and healthy is just incredible,” Hughes said.

“We have felt the effects of the altitude, and I think we would all agree, this is one of the toughest experiences we’ve been through. But it’s also been the greatest adventure.

“The way I see it is, patients and families with cancer climb far harder mountains than this. This is nothing compared to what they are going through.”

Hughes was diagnosed with brain cancer in July 2013 and formed the Mark Hughes Foundation in 2014.

Buderus said it was an amazing experience.

“There’s so much to take in around you, you just can’t take it for granted,” he said.

“You’re walking and facing Mt Everest the whole time.

“Hopefully those following our trip at home have enjoyed the experience through the lens. ”

Brain cancer kills more people under the age of 40 and more children under 10 than any other cancer, yet receives very little government funding.