My story

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Himalayan Hiking Hats
 Nepal Hiking Challenge 1-11 November 2012
The challange
For me, Louisa, (a very average wife, mum, daughter, knitwear designer, dog walker) to embark on an amazing 11 day trip to Nepal - including a 7 day rough trek - sleeping in tents, long drop toilets, no washing facilities – only rivers, between 4 and 9 hours daily trekking, amazing adventures, vistas and views. The aim to raise least £3,400 for Macmillan Cancer Support which includes cost of the trip.
My Goal
To raise £5,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.
My family have sponsored me £1,100 which pays for the cost of the trip. All further money donated goes directly to Macmillan.
Why a Macmillan Cancer Support fundraising challenge?
In January 2011 Stephen, my husband and rock was diagnosed with Lymphoma. He started aggressive chemotherapy in February and was very ill, he was cared for fantastically and I was supported by Macmillan Cancer Support.
Until last year ‘Cancer’ was a word I’d heard but was something I was totally naïve about. Cancer is all consuming, for those diagnosed and for those supporting them.
How Macmillan Cancer Support helped us
Our health district has a specific Macmillan funded unit which meant Stephen was treated nearer to home by Macmillan trained specialist chemotherapy nurses who are amazing.
The Macmillan website was my lifeline. We were able to find out about Stephens diagnosis, treatment, side effects, both physical and emotional, how and what to tell the children and what to expect during his treatment and afterwards.
My support for Macmillan Cancer Support
Not only am I appealing to friends and relatives who know and love us for sponsorship – thank you x
I am also putting together a series of seven knitting patterns called ‘Himalayan Hiking Hats’.
My personal aim is to have my photo taken wearing each one of the hats on the first 6 days of the trek. The seventh hat pattern in the series will be knitted 'en route' and photographed on the 7th (our last) trekking day!
Your support for Macmillan Cancer Support
Join me on my challenge by downloading and knitting the hats – great as gifts and stash busting.
Three patterns are available now – see photos.
Make a donation and download a pdf copy of the patterns @ www.louisaharding.co.uk/macmillan
This is an honesty box so you don’t have to make a donation, but please do…thank you.
Now
Since Stephen finished chemotherapy in June 2011 he has continued to be monitored and receives amazing care, he is flourishing – see him wearing the Stripy Karuwa Hat!
He is back working with me photographing my knitwear collections and supporting me with my trek training, gradually building up our fitness together walking the dog.
His new mantra, ‘life has to be lived with a capital F for Fun!’
Future
Watch this space for updates on the patterns - 3 more will be available in September, my training (OK - dog walking with our very obliging Springer Spaniel, Bo) and further fundraising ideas to make that goal of £5,000.

My gallery 9

My updates 8

I can't belive it's over a week since I have been back - Nepal is the most beautiful country - we were very privileged to visit. A fantastic adventure with amazing fellow trekkers, an emotional journey in every sense!

22/11/12 12:20

The yarn is packed, now off to the airport, with love and thank you for helping to make this happen, Louisa xxxx

01/11/12 10:28

Do continue to donate while I'm away and THANK YOU everyone for all your generous donations and well wishes, as today’s total stands we have raised £7,086.50 together which is incredible, and as a group we have raised £146,818 so far….. thank you xxx

30/10/12 17:57

Suddenly hit home off on Thursday, really busy last few weeks with work not had time to think about the trip! Practiced packing my bag, only allowed 8 kgs, down to 8.4 not including rucksack which has to hold my knitting! will have to carry more on my back, or wear more clothes

30/10/12 17:56

If you stumble upon my page to donate please do....Amazingly I seem to have exceeded my target but please do continue to donate, Macmillan are really so important in the lives of those touched by cancer xxxx

09/10/12 22:30

My Teams

My company

My charity

Macmillan Cancer Support

Macmillan Cancer Support

Charity Registration No. 261017

Macmillan Cancer Support improves the lives of people affected by cancer. We provide practical, medical, emotional and financial support and push for better cancer care. One in three of us will get cancer. Two million of us are living with it. We are all affected by cancer. We can all help. We are Macmillan.

Donations 278

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Well done - to the challenge, the fund- raising and of course the fabulous hat designs!

Donation by Rhoda on 08/05/13

Donation by Diane Lewis on 08/05/13

$5.00

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Cancer touches all our lives. We our living and hoping for a cure in my family. Thank you for this opportunity to give.

Donation by Mary B. on 29/04/13

$50.00

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Raffle donation, thank you to everyone at 'Spin a Yarn', Bovey Tracey

Donation by Spin a Yarn on 22/04/13

£75.00

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Wonderful achievement which benefits such a worthy cause. Well done Louisa!x (hats are fab).8

Donation by Janet . on 18/04/13

£20.00

Donation by Diana Luther Powell on 17/04/13

£5.00

Donation by HEATHER FRANKLIN on 10/04/13

£5.00

+ £1.25 Gift Aid

Donation by Anonymous on 08/04/13

£5.00

+ £1.25 Gift Aid

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I am a Canadian who has loved your patterns since the early Rowan days. My dad died of cancer two years ago. I am happy to help the fight anywhere.

Donation by Christy Ciotti on 05/04/13

$10.00

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Donation by Alexis Khalil on 01/04/13

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Hats off to you! Well done.

Donation by Knitsofast on 30/03/13

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Donation by julia campbell on 22/03/13

$10.00

Donation by Victoria Parks on 19/03/13

$30.00

Donation by Anonymous on 18/03/13

£5.00

+ £1.25 Gift Aid

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Donation by clare hughes on 16/03/13

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Thank you for doing the trip and for raising money for Macmillan

Donation by R M Mear on 16/03/13

£50.00

+ £12.50 Gift Aid

Donation by Andrew Keogh on 14/03/13

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Donation by Sheila fraze on 03/03/13

$20.00

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Thank you for the lovely hat patterns and good luck with your fund raising.

Donation by Gaynor on 26/02/13

£5.00

Donation by Jennafer Fletcher on 20/02/13

$20.00

Remembering the McMillian Nurses whose care helped to ease my dear sister, Lorraine's pain and suffering. Keep up the good work

Donation by Carole Clark on 13/02/13

£10.00

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Stumbled on this by accident. Love the hats, thanks for sharing them for such a good cause.

Donation by Jo H on 10/02/13

£5.00

+ £1.25 Gift Aid

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Well done Louisa - Much love from The Wool Bar, Worthing x

Donation by Caroline Wilbor on 08/02/13

£200.00

+ £50.00 Gift Aid

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Your hats are just gorgeous, and the way of donating too.

Donation by Ulla Holm on 04/02/13

10,00 €

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Thanks so much for some fantastic patterns!Keep up the good work!!

Donation by Jacqueline Lewis on 03/02/13

£10.00

+ £2.50 Gift Aid

Donation summary

  • * Online donations$10,165.34
  • Offline donations$2,678.48
  • Text donations$0.00
  • Total raised$12,843.82
  • Gift Aid$1,095.48

* Charities pay a small fee for our service. Find out how much it is and what we do for it.