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JUST DAYS TO GO!!! I'm packed and ready to go! Thank you all for your support so far but it doesn't have to stop here!!! If you can give more, please please do! I really want to get the total to the £3600 mark.... _________________________________________________________  ONE MONTH TO GO!!! So there is now only one month to go and as you can see from my photos, I have been training hard in preperation. I have had an amazing (and at times completely draining) year arranging all kinds of different events and fundraising...all of which would not have been possible without the support and generosity of friends, family and quite often complete strangers who just want to help make a diffence so thank you all! But it's not over yet! I have upped my target by £500 and I know we can get to it - I still really need your kindness. I'm still selling on ebay and still baking to order in aid of MHF, so if you are interested please do not hesitate to contact me at <a href="mailto:kirsty_mcbean@hotmail.com">kirsty_mcbean@hotmail.com</a> Thanks again for the support and long may it continue! Kirsty ________________________________________________   Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.    In November 2010 I will be trekking through Costa Rica for 10 days in order to raise money and awareness for <a href="http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/">The Mental Health Foundation</a>. Now I know I will be getting an experience of a lifetime by getting to visit Costa Rica so I have decided that it is ony right that I will contribute £100 of my own money every month for a year in order to help raise my total and offset the trip to a hot, pretty country element of the challenge.      ITINERARY Day 1: London to San Jose   Depart from London to San Jose.                                        Day 2: Cerro Frio to San Gerardo   We drive along the Pan American Highway to the Top of Cerro Frio which stands at 3,474 metres and the start of our trek. Our first days trek finishes at the town of San Gerardo and we camp close to town so there is an opportunity to walk around and get the flavour of local life.   Approx 4-5 hour trek            Day 3: San Gerardo to Angeles   We wake early in preparation of the long day ahead of us. We hike out of the valley and head back into the mountains and the cloud forest. At this point we are nearing the highest point of our challenge trek and are surrounded by coffee-lined mountains and spectacular views. After lunch we descend into the coffee-producing town of Angeles where we should see coffee pickers along the way. It is here we find our camp for the evening.   Approx 6-8 hour trek            Day 4: Angeles to Rio Nuevo   Today is a challenging day where our trail leads us through coffee plantations and on steep slipper sections that will require hands and feet. We finish at Rio Nuevo where we will set up camp and toast our achievement with a cup of the local coffee!   Approx 5-7 hour trek            Day 5: Rio Nuevo to Cerro San Antonio   After a good night sleep we start our descent into the valley. The trails we follow are narrow and tricky in part but offer some spectacular views of the Pacific coastline. After digging deep and reaching the top we camp on top of the ridge at Cerro San Antonio.   Approx 5-7 hour trek            Day 6: Cerro San Antonio to Magnolia   After the passed days climbing it’s time for us to descend into the valley passing long cascades of spectacular waterfalls. If we have time we will take a quick dip in the tropical lagoons before continue to our camp at Magnolia.   Approx 4 – 6 hours trek            Day 7: Magnolia to Tres Piedras   Our penultimate day takes us along the valley and through farming communities, stopping for lunch at one of the many local farms. It’s another picturesque day with the beach firming in our sights.   Approx 4-6 hours trek            Day 8: Tres Piedras to Playa Baru   Nearing the end of our challenge, we have to hike along the riverbed and through the rainforest which is no easy feat but are rewarded with our first close-up of the Ocean. Our challenge finishes at the right on the beach and what a treat after the trekking over the past few days. We transfer to the National Wildlife Refuge in Dominical in the South Pacific region.   Approx 5 – 7 hour trek            Day 9: Free day at the beach - Dominical            Day 10: Drive to San Jose – Departure       In order for you to gain a true understanding of the extent of the challenge I face, I have included a map in my photo section depicting the trek route I will be taking.       So p lease help me reach my target of £3000 by donating what you can in order to really help make a difference.       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.       Thanks you again for taking the time to look at my page and for all the support.       Kirsty x

Kirsty's Costa Rica Trek in aid of Mental Health Foundation

Kirsty's Costa Rica Trek in aid of Mental Health Foundation

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