Please note:  I have transferred from the Machu Picchu trek to Everest Base Camp trek as I wanted a tougher challenge.  The Event Date is now 6th November 2009 (rather than 4th October).

Firstly thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Whilst travelling in South-East Asia last year, I witnessed the effects that war, poverty and lack of access to education and healthcare have on people, and in particular children. I was especially moved by my experiences in Cambodia, where I saw landmine victims and children who were too impoverished to attend school.  It bought home to me the issues faced within many of the worlds poorer countries. I returned from my travels wanting to do something that would assist, whilst also continuing to travel and experience other cultures.

Consequently, I am embarking on a charity challenge which provides an ideal way of raising money, whilst experiencing new cultures and challenging myself both physically and mentally.  On the 6th November I will be flying to Kathmandu before transferring to Lukla and then trekking up to Everest Base Camp (5,357m above sea level). The trip lasts 17 days, of which 12 are spent trekking enduring cold conditions and potential altitude sickness, requiring months of training in preparation. I have chosen to fund raise for MSF (Médecins Sans Frontières, translates to doctors without borders) which has medical projects in over 60 countries around the world, including both Cambodia and Nepal.

MSF's core work is providing medical aid in crisis situations such as armed conflicts, epidemics, famines, floods and earthquakes. MSF teams also work in situations where the health care system is simply inadequate, providing basic health care, disease prevention and HIV/AIDS treatment in the world's poorest regions. MSF teams deliver both medical aid and material aid (food, shelter, blankets etc), and when necessary, repair or construct medical and  sanitation facilities. MSF also campaign for fairer access to medicines for the world's poorest people.

I have self-funded the cost of the trek (and all my equipment) so that all money raised can go direct to MSF. I am most grateful for all donations. Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Medecins Sans Frontieres (UK) gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation. So please sponsor me now! 

http://www.msf.org.uk

http://www.charitychallenge.com/cc/charitychallenge/expedition_details.jsp?id=1011

http://www.charitychallenge.com/cc/charitychallenge/pdf/Everest_Itinerary_2009.pdf