Tamsin is hoping to take part in Trek Sudetes in aid of Oxfordshire Mind in June 2013.  In order to participate in this trek Tamsin needs to raise £1,500 through sponsorship and fundraising.

The funds you kindly donate will help start Tamsin off on her fundraising mission!

Here’s a note from Tamsin...   “ I've known Mind for over 25 years, joining them first as a student volunteer in the '80s. Last year, I was back for 4 months to assist with an outreach project to black and minority ethnic communities. Some things had changed - the atmosphere at the Mill is a lot less smoky than it used to be!  - but the ethos was the same.

The folks at Oxfordshire Mind are compassionate, creative and conscientious. They show respect and dignity for anyone seeking their help, looking beyond a diagnosis or a current crisis to see the whole person.  I like that they'll try new things, such as their ground-breaking peer support project. 

I know the fundraising will be hard work and I'm almost as daunted by the training I'll have to do to get fit.   Please help me to help Mind: moral support, fundraising ideas, walking tips....oh, and money too, if you can possibly spare it!  Thanks. ”

Oxfordshire Mind supports people with mental and emotional health problems such as anxiety, bereavement, depression, loneliness, post-natal depression, recovery from breakdowns, stress and schizophrenia.

Registered Charity No. 261476  www.oxfordshire-mind.org.uk

Here’s some more about the challenge that lies ahead...

The Sudetes is a mountain range in Central Europe. It is also known as the Sudeten (German) or Sudety (Czech and Polish) Mountains. Each day of the trek is filled with breathtaking views and a chance to experience the common culture and history of Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany as the Sudetes is the place where these intriguing three countries come to meet.

Highlights of the walk include:

- A trail which leads through wild, picturesque forests, wetlands, plateaus and the onto the main ridge fantastic views. After a smooth ascent we stop for a rest at the mountain hostel Hala Szrenicka. Then we cross the border into the Czech Republic via Twarożnik (granite blocks) and head towards the Vosecka Bouda (Czech mountain hostel) until we reach the source of the Elbe river (one of the greatest rivers in Europe). Following this we trek down through Labsky Dul to Spindlerovy Mlyn (a well known, charming mountain town), whilst experiencing beautiful panoramic views, waterfalls and amazing rock formations along the way.

- The Old Bucharova path to a mountain hostel, Lucni Bouda. Here we have time for a rest and a meal whilst absorbing the fantastic panoramic views and open spaces. Then we walk on a trail which leads above Upska Jama and Obri Dul – there you can see precipices with walls approx. 400m high. Once we get to the eastern wall of Upska Jama we start walking down to the mountain village Pec pod Sniezkou where we spend our third night in the mountains.

- The highest peak in Sudetes – Sniezka. On the top we cross the border and once again we find ourselves on the Polish side of the mountains. We walk down to Rownia pod Sniezką and trek above Maly and Wielki Staw (mountain ponds); then a smooth descent to the border of Karpacz – a beautiful mountain town. Here we stop at the twelfth century Lutheran temple Wang.

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