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I spend alot of time working in the health industry, and some might consider that I do enough in way of giving to others. But its a job, admittedly, one that I love and one that gives me an incredible amount of joy, whilst allowing me to earn a living, and so it doesn't really feel like giving.
I give to charity all the time, I have never been fixed on any particular charity and its not like I felt driven to do anything special, and so I had never taken the trouble to investigate if there was anything else I could do. A couple of years ago I watched my eldest daughter Sabina, do the great north run and all I could think was "how is my baby going to make that distance, without collapsing". I didn't think for one moment of the effort she had gone to, to train. She was raising money for the Stroke foundation at the time...a sort of tribute to her grandfather, my dad, who had passed away a few years earlier.
Since then I've watched her do a couple more half marathons, and even seen my other daughter and husband join in. Suddenly I didn't want to be the one watching. I wanted to be part of something, and the idea of being part of it with the people I love made the most sense to me...so when my husband talked about doing everest base camp trek, I didnt hesitate. I wanted to do it too.
At first no one took me seriously, I'm not the sportiest of people in the world and exercise is, kind of a chore for me, although I've recently qualified as a yoga teacher. They just couldn't see me 'making the grade' so to speak. However, to me the idea of viewing the world from a height of nearly 5500m, and experiencing people and places I would possibly only ever watch in a documentary, really took my interest. The next few days I just listened about the trip and thought about it and the more I listened and thought about it the more I wanted to do it. I realise for me, walking the kind of daily distances, which will be required, is going to demand every ounce of my strength, determination and stamina. Right now it feels a dream, but every time I think about it, I feel its something I must do.
My journey to doing the kind of work I do has been a huge part of my own personal development....every step has demanded my dedication...and there have been times where I have doubted my ability to achieve...but I've succeeded and so there is no reason why I should not succeed in this.
March 17th 2011 is over a year away, but for me the challenge begins today. February 24th 2010, because even as I write this first entry, I am aware, that I have to get fit, to train and be ready, but more importantly, though, my effort is a contibution, I cannot lose sight of why I am doing it. The charity aspect despite all my own goals is the most important thing and I need the help and support of many others to reach that final height of 5364m and £4000.00. I'm doing this trek for the British Heart Foundation. Please give whatever you can. Charities rely on donations to help their research and to help real people, achieve health and a better quality of life. Your contribution, big or small is gratefully received.
Thankyou
Shehnaz x
