Dear friends and family,

So, I have decided to do something positive during my time off! I am going to be spending 9 days in Kyrgyzstan hiking in the mountains. The challenge involves approximately 8 hours of hiking a day through alpine pastures, mountain paths, rivers, gorges and the Issyk-Kul Lake, the second largest mountain lake in the world. This is a daunting and exciting challenge for me but the main purpose is to raise funds for FOCUS which is a wonderful charity that I have supported over the years.

I will be funding my own expenses for the trip so your donation will go straight to the charity rather than paying for my adventure!

FOCUS is an international emergency response agency that provides relief and support services during, and following, natural and man-made disasters often affecting vulnerable communities particularly in developing countries. Their ultimate aim is to reduce dependence on aid and facilitate the transition to sustainable development. Their work over the past 15 years has spanned the globe, reducing human suffering and helping communities, enduring the aftermath of disasters, maintain their dignity.  They also play an active role in anticipating disaster - visiting villages in remote areas to study the history of disasters that have occurred in those areas, helping these communities set up emergency strategies and emergency teams within the village to prepare for future disasters, thus limiting the number of lives being lost. For more information about the communities FOCUS has helped, visit: www.akdn.org/focus

Thank you so much for your kind support. Every donation however big or small, is truly appreciated. It really will help save valuable lives and would also mean a lot to me too!  Thank you once again.

So please dig deep and donate now.

With best wishes

Shaheen