Hello .. and thank you for looking at this page.  I am planning to Trek the alternative Inca Trail in aid of Chabad House of Hendon.  

Not a Free Holiday

I am funding the full costs of the excursion myself, plus a little bit more, and so I am not my trying to cadge a free holiday!  Every penny that you give will go to Chabad.

The Challenge

As some of you might know, I have been on a strict diet for the last three months and have lost a stone and a half, and have been down the gym rather a lot.   This trek is part of the challenge to celebrate that I am a bit fitter than before - although I will still be lugging a Michelin around with me (just in case of a puncture). 

As you may know the Inca Trail is a tough trek, but the alternative trail is considerably harder and higher.   We will be climbing up and down, with one mountain pass as high as 4600m (2.8miles up!!).  For comparison the summit of Ben Nevis is 1344m and Mount Blanc summit is only a tad higher at 4810m..  We plan to cover 50 miles of hard mountain paths in four days, that is an average of seven hours walking a day.

The last time that I tried to conquer a mountain, the mountain won - but hopefully....

The Charity

I am sure that you all know about Chabad - they are not exactly shy and retiring, but they do an enormous amount of work on a shoe string budget.  For instance, this Pesach they catered seder night for 270 people in the Hendon / Golders Green area - many of whom were unaffiliated Israelis trying to hold on to their Jewish roots.   The catering is normally done by the rebetzin, and it is common to see the rabbis and their children setting up the tables and the food. 

Unlike other charities who target "young professionals" , their door is always open to all - religious, secular, young and old.  Chabad are non judgemental and if people can't afford to pay for their social activities then they are still welcomed with a big smile.   I find their energy and enthusiasm bewildering and contagious, even amongst the sheliachs who live their lives in the smallest and remotest Jewish communities.  They desperately need our funds to continue.

So please sponsor me and support Chabad - even if only a pound or two.   Although if you are in a position to be more generous ...

This Just Giving webiste allows the charity to claim back the basic rate of tax (25%) where appropriate plus a 3% supplement.   They take 5% of the total amount as an administration charge, and 1.45% if you use a credit card (16p for Debit Cards).  So if you give £10 Chabad will get £11.90.