Before I go any further, I want to say that as I am paying all my own costs, any money you are able to donate will go straight to New Futures Nepal in order to help the orphaned and disabled children and adults in Nepal.

This trek will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the existence of the charity New Futures Nepal and the second I will do.  It will be along the Tamang Heritage Trail, in the Lantang region north of Kathmandu. We will learn about the local culture and crafts, visit ancient monasteries and bathe in natural hot springs - hmm, could have done with a few of those in the freezing conditions on the first trek in February 2011.  I am also hoping to learn more about farming practices in Nepal.

The trail is part of the ancient Nepalese and Tibetan trading route and is a less commercial route than previous treks.  It was developed under the Tourism for Rural Poverty Alleviation Programme to create tourism opportunities within the poor rural communities of the region. It is only through tourism, and the money this brings to these parts of Nepal, that  lives and conditions can be improved. Therefore, a portion of the sponsorship raised for this trek will contribute directly to local livelihoods, women's empowerment and environmental conservation.  I am particularly pleased to be able to support these causes.

The trek itself will be to a maximum altitude of 3,300 m, with accommodation in tea houses. These are not quite as romantic or picturesque as the name might suggest.  They are not much more than large, rambling garden sheds and usually less well put together - I can remember on the last trek looking through the gap between walls straight to the mountainside on the other side of the valley, and this was in freezing temperatures!

The money you give will also help to improve the lives of disadvantaged and disabled orphaned children and adults in both The Hope Centre in Kathmandu and Hornbeam House in Kalimpong (which used to be in Nepal but due to boundary changes is now in India).  The majority of the children in this latter home are from Nepal.  Nepal is the 10th poorest country in the world, with only 5% of children attending school and the majority of people subsisting on agriculture, often in hostile conditions.  Your donation will help to improve the lives and futures of the children and adults living in these homes.  New Futures Nepal ensures that each child is given the love, security, education and health care they need, together with continuing support for their future lives, in order to eventually support themselves and be happy, healthy, independent individuals.

As with the previous trek, I am funding myself, paying for all travel, accommodation, food and fees, so any sponsorship money you are able to donate will go straight to the charity - and not to my pocket!

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now and thank you for your support.