Roll up to circus to help Nepal

She trekked the Himalayas just weeks before the first devastating earthquake that killed thousands and left thousands more in Nepal without food, water and shelter.

Now, Hillman performer Ruth Battle has sprung into action to host a circus-themed fundraiser to help those affected.

Mrs Battle said she travelled to Nepal with husband Adam Wayre just three weeks before the magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit the south Asian country.

She said the pair bonded with Nepalese guides and porters, who helped them through a physically challenging hike to the Everest Base Camp.

"The trek was really hard - at one point, we were underneath a 100m cliff face," she said.

"It was really precarious and rocks were falling close to people's heads - it was quite scary."

Mrs Battle said the trip was an unforgettable experience and she and Mr Wayre were devastated to learn some of the Nepalese they had called friends had been left homeless by the quake.

She said one porter counted his mother among the estimated 8000 dead.

"It was pretty full-on to hear this had happened a few weeks after Adam and I left," Battle said.

"One of our porters' houses was demolished - it was strange because we had debated going later but decided to go earlier in April before the tourist season started."

Mrs Battle said more than 10 circus performers would appear in the Circus Masala event in Fremantle next month.

She said she planned to collect monetary donations, as well as tents, sleeping bags and other emergency aid items to contribute to Red Cross appeal.

Email Battle at ruthmbattle@gmail.com to find out more or to donate.